LIBRARY_OF CONGRESS. 

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UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH 



—OF THE— 



LIFE OF SAM HOUSTON, 



— WITH— 



A Condensed History of Texas from Its Discoveiy 

to 1861. 

■ 



BY JUDGE WILLIAM LEWIS." 



PRICE FIFTY CENTS. 



DALLAS : 

HERALD STEAM PRINTING HOUSE. 
1882. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH 



—OF THE— 



LIFE OF SAM HOUSTON, 



— WITH— 



A Condensed History of Texas from Its Discovery 

to 1861. 



BY JUDGE WILLIAM LEWIS. 

• i /1 



PRICE FIFTY CENTS. 



N£ i M jB32 • 

DALLAS : 

HERALD STEAM PRINTING HOUSE. 
1882. 



COPYRIGHTED 

BY 

William Lewis, 

1SS2. 



INTRODUCTORY NOTE. 



The object of the writer in presenting this small volume to the 
public has been to furnish some facts connected with the labor and 
services General Houston rendered to Texas and mankind in plain 
and homely language. 

Any attempt at high-flown expressions has been avoided not less 
carefully than low and vulgar ones. To state truly plain facts has 
been the desire of the author. 

As an apology for any defects in composition, we have to say 
that the narrative has been written at nighj, after a hard day's toil 
at manual labor ; when the eyelids were heavy, the brain sluggish 
and the arm weary, and without any library to refer to containing 
historical or literary works. The most interesting and important 
portions of the contents of the volume embrace the General's army 
orders, his written correspondence and his public speeches. 

The Texan revolutionary patriots of 1836 staked their all in the 
cause of a free and enlightened government ; a cause which they 
sustained with their labors and cemented with their blood. Some 
survived the conflict ; a small number still live. The present gener- 
ation is reaping the fruit of their labor. 

If the perusal of this unpretending volume should cause anyone 
to duly appreciate the manly deeds of the great and successful leader 
of the Texan secessionists, the aim of the writer will have been at- 
tained. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH 



OF 



THE LIFE OF SAM HOUSTON. 



Sam Houston was born in Virginia. When quite 
young he became a resident of Blount county, Ten- 
nessee. At the age of twenty he volunteered as a soldier 
in the United States army ; was soon promoted to the 
rank of lieutenant, and was a participant in the battle of 
" Horse Shoe." His heroic valor on that occasion in lead- 
ing the charge over the Indian breastworks, amid a 
shower of bullets from the enemy, won the especial 
esteem and admiration of General Jackson. From that 
period on a mutual friendship was formed that never 
weakened. 

In 1817, he was appointed agent to the Cherokee In- 
dians : from his intercoiarse with that tribe he learned 
his first lesson in the art of Indian diplomacy, between 
whom and himself a warm and lasting friendship was 
contracted. He studied law, and at the age of twenty - 
six was appointed Attorney General of the State. At 
thirty he was elected to the Congress of the United 
States, where he soon rose to distinction and prominence. 
At the age of thirty- six, i. e., 1827, he was inaugurated 
Governor of Tennessee, and soon thereafter married an 
accomplished, brilliant and fashionable woman, with 
family connections of great influence. At that period 



6 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF 



the young Governor was considered the most popular of 
any man in the Southwest, except General Jackson. 

From this high pinnacle of fame, wealth and domestic 
happiness, he had only to wait a few years to ascend to 
the Presidential chair. But the hidden hand of Divinity 
had decreed that from this lofty position he should soon 
tumble into the vortex of unhappiness, despair, social 
and political ruin. At the expiration of about three 
months from the date of his nuptials, he discovered that 
his marriage was not only unfortunate but insupportable 
to such a degree that a mutual agreement of separation 
transpired between himself and wife upon terms of 
eternal secresy as to the cause. He escorted his young 
and brilliant bride to the parental roof where he mar- 
ried, and bade her an eternal adieu ; cursed the deceit- 
ful and hollow sham of marriages not made in heaven ; 
resigned his office of Governor ; drew a dark veil between 
himself and the glittering and deceitful allurements of 
fashionable society, and sought an asylum of native 
purity and simplicity among his old friends, the Chero- 
kee Indians, in their wild and romantic home west of 
Arkansas. We here insert an extract from a letter 
written to him by President Jackson in 1829. He says : 

" My affliction was great, and as much as I well could bear, when I 
parted with you on the 18th of January last. I then viewed you as on the 
brink of happiness, and rejoiced. About to be united in marriage to a 
beautiful young lady, of accomplished manners and of respectable connec- 
tions, and of your own selection; you the Governor of the State and hold- 
ing the affections of the people; these were your prospects when I shook 
you by the hand and bade you farewell. You can well judge of my aston- 
ishment and grief in receiving a letter from you, dated at Little Rock, 
A. T., nth of May, concerning the sad intelligence that you were then a 
private citizens — ' an exile from your country.' What reverse of fortune! 
How unstable are all human affairs." 

It is convenient to leave the greatly afflicted and " per- 
plexed in the extreme " ex- Governor with his friends, the 
Indians, a lew years. 



THE LIFE OF SAM HOUSTON. 



7 



In order ro form a correct estimate of the full measure 
of the great services General Houston has rendered to 
Texas and her people, it is deemed proper to relate 
briefly some facts connected with her early history. 

The most plausible and reliable explanations of the 
cause of the separation ever given, in the opinion of the 
writer, will be found in the following letter, written by 
Colonel Sam Hay. 

Colonel Hay became acquainted with General Houston 
when a mere youth in Tennessee. He was in Nashville 
when the disunion occurred; heard all the explanations 
and comments as given by the friends of both parties. 
Came to Texas to repair a ruined fortuned in 1845. Met 
a warm and cordial reception from his old friend, the 
General. Received the appointment of State District 
Attorney, and at a later period United States Attorney 
by aid of his influence; resided at Huntsville, a close and 
intimate neighbor of the General, when he expired: 

Huntsville, August 15, 1863. 

Judge William Lewis: 

Dear Sir: In your letter, recently come to hand,you desire me to give 
you such facts as are in my possession concerning the last hours of Gen- 
eral Houston. From my intimate acquaintance with vou for years, I 
know you are interested in anything he did or said when living. 

Concerning his feelings and expressions about the war, they were in ac- 
cordance with his whole life. He loved the old flag, "but Texas more." 
He seemed to desire the possession of sufficient power to enable him lo 
stand between the conflicting factions, North and South, and command 
the peace. 

When President Lincoln sent a secret agent, offering him fiftv thousand 
soldiers to regain his office of Governor, he replied: "Every drop of my 
blood I am willing to shed for Texas, but not one drop to degrade her 
people." He sent his son to the army to fight for the South. The last 
speech he made, a short time previous to his death, he said, in substance, 
that notwithstanding he was opposed to the manner in which the war 
began, under the condition of things, he desired that the South should be 
victorious rather than the North 



8 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF 



I believe it was the first time in his eventful life that he did not have a 
clear perception, exactly in what direction his duty to his country lay. His 
two wounds received in defense of human rights, one at Horse Shoe, the 
other at San Jacinto, were the remote cause of his death. 

He was a shining light in the Baptist Churchy and died with humble and 
Christian resignation. 

When he ascended to Heaven he bore with him a well-grounded 
Christian hope of immortal felicity, and a love for the entire people of the 
disunited States. From his lofty position he is now looking down upon 
this terrible and irrepressible conflict, anxious to know the result, before 
he can enjoy sweet repose. "Peace be to his memory." 

In regard to his separation from his first wife, which you have referred 
to, and which has caused such a remarkable curiosity for thirty odd years^ 
I will write you all I know about it, which I request you not to make 
public, as it is a delicate subject — a subject that the General did not like to 
talk about. 

I was at his bedside a few days before he died, and I thought I would 
venture to broach the subject to him. I approached him in a circuitous 
route. I asked him if he were to live his life over again what amends 
would he make? He replied: "He was weary and tired and desired to be 
at rest, and had no wish to live his life over again." 

I then said, "General, your friends are extremely anxious to know the 
cause that inspired you to abandon your first wife ?" He replied: "Myself 
and wife solemnly agreed never to divulge the cause, but one thing I will 
say, I never discovered the least blemish in her character for chastity. But 
you know that I have a wound, which I then had that I could not heal, 
and unless I was careful, at times it would be offensive. It always grieved 
me that my person should be offensive to any one on "that account." 

I will now relate to you what I believe the cause of the separation. I 
was in Tennessee when it occurred. I heard all the reasons given at that 
period by friend and foe. At the time he was elected Governor, his first 
wife was engaged to marry another man. Her friends thought it would 
be a more brilliant match for her to marry the popular young Governor 
knowing that he was partial to her. She was induced to break her first en- 
gagement and marry him. In about three months after the marriage the 
Governor discovered that his wife was not cheerful and happy. As we 
may naturally suppose, he sought to know the cause, and discovered that, 
his society was not agreeable to her. In all probability she made an 
allusion to his wound. 

The above reason corresponds with what fell from the lips of Mrs. 
Houston's mother and others. 

I am so well satisfied that it is the correct solution of the great mystery 
that I have no further curiosity about the event. 

I am Thine, SAM HAY. 



THE LIFE OF SAM HOUSTON. 



9 



It is affirmed by historians that LaSalle, a Frenchman, 
was the first white man that attempted to make a settle- 
ment in Texas. LaSalle, with three ships and three 
hundred emigrants, sailed from France with the intention 
to settle a colony in the Mississippi Valley. Sailing too 
far west he missed the entrance to the Mississippi and 
landed at Matagorda bay on the 16th of February, 1685; 
ascended the Lavaca river, and built Fort St. Louis. 

The only inhabitants in Texas at that priod were wild 
and half-tamed Indians, numbering about forty thousand. 
Within two years LaSalle was killed by one of his own 
men and the Indians exterminated the remainder of the 
colony with the tomahawk. 

The next attempt to colonize Texas was in 1690. The 
King of Spain sent large numbers of Catholic mission- 
aries to Texas, with the avowed purpose of converting 
the Indians to the Catholic religion. These emigrants 
built what is known as Spanish Missions. A mission is 
a structure for a two-fold purpose — a church and a fort 
for protection. Missions were established in most of the 
important points in Texas by the Spanish colonists. 
Many of the Indians were converted to the Catholic re- 
ligion. Inhabitants were concentrated adjacent to these 
missions in numbers sufficient to constitute large villages. 
During sixty-eight years the Spanish colonists dwelt in 
peace with the Indians. But it was a part of the Divine 
economy that the labors of these missionaries should 
come to a speedy and tragic end. In 1758, the Mission 
of San Saba, consisting of four hundred men. women and 
children, was attacked and captured by the Comanche 
Indians, and the entire population inhumanly massacred. 
Not one escaped — not even the delicate and refined 
female missionaries, who had been so kind. Human 
language is not sufficient to measure the enormity of 
such brutality, when we picture to ourselves the probable 



10 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF 



scenes that occurred during that massacre. This inhu- 
man and savage act so disheartened and terrified the 
missionaries, that in a short time all the frontier missions 
were abandoned. From this period on mission institu- 
tions were confined to three or four large towns, protected 
by a strong military force. During the period from 1758 
to 1800, the Spanish colonists made slight progress in 
settling the province of Texas; but many terrific con- 
flicts of warfare occurred between the wild roving Indians 
and other inhabitants. A narrative of the facts, in de- 
tail would fill a volume. 

It is evident, at the present time, that it is a part of the 
Divine economy that Christian civilization or annihi- 
lation is the final destiny of the North American Indians- 

About the year 1800, the Spanish Government, being 
jealous of the growing power and popularity of the 
Government of the United States, ordered the Mexican 
authorities to prohibit any citizen of the United States 
from entering Texas. Central Mexico, at that period, 
was a province of Spain. This edict of non-intercourse on 
the part of Spain was virtually a declaration of war. It 
had no other effect, however, but to excite the ambition 
of the citizens of the United States to enter Texas at all 
hazards. The natural wealth and beautiful scenery of 
Texas were so attractive, that large numbers of adven- 
turous and enterprising citizens of the adjacent States, 
during the period from 1800 to 1821, invaded the country 
with various objects in view; some for the gratification 
of personal ambition and gain ; others with a view to 
wrest the country from Spanish and savage misrule, and 
establish upon her fertile soil the arts of agriculture and 
institutions of civil and religious liberty. 

In 1801, Philip Noland and Ellis P. Bean organized a 
party at Natchez, Mississippi, to invade the country with 
the avowed purpose of capturing wild horses. Noland 



THE LIFE OF SAM HOUSTON. 11 



and party, to avoid coming in contact with the Spanish 
authorities, entered Texas high np on the Trinity, and 
erected a log house, and horse pens near the place, in 
all probability, where the Dallas court house now stands. 
On the eve of commencing their exciting and romantic 
chase, Noland and his comrades were surrounded by one 
hundred Spanish cavalry, who had been sent from San 
Antonio for their arrest. After a vigorous and stubborn 
resistance, Noland having been killed, the remainder of 
his party surrendered to the Spanish officer, on condition 
that the Americans were to be permitted to leave the 
country in peace. As soon as the Americans were pris- 
oners in the hands of the Spaniards, they were chained 
in gangs, and marched to the Rio Grande, and confined 
in loathsome prisons, until they all perished save one, 
Captain Bean, who made his escape, and returned to the 
United States. 

At this period a considerable number of Spanish resi- 
dents in Texas became restless under Spanish misrule, 
and were ready for revolution and resistance to the au- 
thority of Spain. These men styled themselves Mexican 
Republicans. 

In 1812 Lieutenant Augustus Magee and Samuel Kem- 
per, who were Americans, and Bernardo Gutierres, a 
Mexican Republican, and the Chiefs of three small tribes 
of Indians, conceived the bold and daring design of ex- 
pelling the military force of Spain, and establishing a 
republican government similar to that of the United 
States. They accordingly organized a military force, 
which consisted of eight hundred Americans, one hundred 
and twenty-five Coshattie Indians, three hundred Lipan 
and Tonkawas, and one hundred and eighty Mexican 
Republicans, numbering in all one thousand three hun- 
dred and twenty-five effective soldiers. Magee, who had 
been a lieutenant in the United States army, was ap- 



12 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF 



pointed commander-in-chief. The military force of 
Spain consisted of tiiree thousand men, stationed at 
Nacogdoches, Goliad and San Antonio. 

In July, 1812, General Magee attacked and captured 
Nacogdoches and the Spanish garrison stationed at that 
place. He then marched his army westward and cap- 
tured Goliad. On the 1st of February, 1813, General 
Magee died, and Major Kemper assumed command of the 
army. Governor Salcedo was in command of one thou- 
sand five hundred Spanish Royalists, stationed at San 
Antonio. On the 2d of March, General Kemper marched 
his army in the direction of San Antonio. When within 
a short distance of the town, he was confronted by Gov- 
ernor Salcedo and his army. A terrific battle was 
fought. The Republicans defeated the Eoyalists with 
great slaughter, who fled into the town. General Kem- 
per marched his victorious army in pursuit, and on the 
5th of March, Salcedo and his command surrendered 
prisoners of war. General Kemper, Major Ross and 
Captain Hall, who were Americans, desired and intended 
that their prisoners should be treated according to the 
rules of civilized warfare, but their Indian soldiers, who 
had never been taught the law of Christ — "Do unto others 
as you would that others do unto you" — true to their na- 
tures, were uncontrollable in the hour of victory. To 
avenge some conceivable wrong, they slaughtered the 
wounded and disabled without mercy. 

The Republicans lost nine killed and twenty five 
wounded. The loss of the Royalists was one hundred 
killed, one hundred and fifty wounded, and the entire 
military force stationed at San Antonio prisoners, with 
all their supplies and munitions of war. Among Gen- 
eral Kemper's captives were Salcedo, Governor of Texas 
Simon de Herrera, Governor of Nueva Leon, and his 
brother, Geronimo Herrera, ex- Governor Cordera, and 



THE LIFE OF SAM HOUSTON. 



13 



ten other officers of high rank in the army. The victory 
was as complete and decisive as was that at San Jacinto 
at a later period. In less than one year the republicans 
had defeated and driven the entire military force of 
Spain from the country. But for lack of wisdom in coun- 
cil, statesmanship and diplomatic skill, the victory was 
barren of any good results to the cause of freedom or to 
the heroic victors. 

While General Kemper and his command were indulg- 
ing in voluptuous hilarity over the spoils of victory, one 
of his officers, Captain Delgado, whose father had been 
executed by order of Salcedo, by means of false pretences, 
induced General Kemper to appoint him commander of 
a squad of soldiers to take charge, for safe keeping, all 
the officers, prisoners, including the governors above 
mentioned. Captain Delgado marched his prisoners a 
short distance from camp, tied them all fast with cords, 
and deliberately beheaded every one of them, about 
fifteen in number. It is affirmed that Delgado and his 
command sharpened their knives preparatory for their 
cruel and inhuman work, in the very presence of their 
victims. When this inhuman act of treachery and bar 
barity became known to General Kemper, Major Ross, 
Captain Hall, and other Americans in the army, they 
feared the vengeance of Divine Goodness, and the ver- 
dict of enlightened civilized Nations. They immediately 
withdrew from the contest, left the country, and never 
returned. The Republicans elected Captain Perry their 
commander. On tne 2d of April, 1813, another Spanish 
army, in numbers three thousand, made its appearance 
near San Antonio, under the command of Gen. Elisondo. 
The Republicans, under Gen. Perry, marched out of the 
town and assaulted the fortified positions of the enemy. 
After a furious battle of ten hours duration, General 
Elisondo retreated to the Rio Grande, leaving one thou- 
sand of his dead and wounded on the field of battle. 



14 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF 



The able generalship of Perry, and the heroic deeds of 
his men, displayed on the held of battle, hath not been 
excelled in any military conflict on the American conti- 
nent. Such heroes deserved a better fate than the one 
then in reserve. 

Notwithstanding the many costly and humiliating re- 
verses attending the Mexican Royalists on the field of 
battle, they were determined not to surrender the coun- 
try to the Republicans, and they soon returned to the 
conflict with an army of four thousand soldiers in com- 
mand of Gen. Arredondo. 

The Royalists halted within a few miles from the city, 
and commenced erecting breast- works. The Republi- 
cans numbering eight hundred men in command of Gen. 
Toledo, marched out of the city to attack them. 

Gen. Arredondo ordered his advance line to fire and 
fall back. The impetuous and brave Republicans suf- 
ferred themselves to be drawn into an ambuscade, were 
surrounded by the numerous enemy, and inhumanly 
slaughtered. 

Thus ended the first serious attempt to revolutionize 
and capture the magnificent Empire of Texas from the 
control of tyrants and savage barbarians, by men who 
desired to organize a democratic form of government^ 
and establish free, civil and religious institutions on her 
soil. 

An elaborate narrative of all the bloody conflicts on 
the soil of Texas from the first discovery, thereof, by 
La Salle in 1685 to 1820, would fill a large volume. 

It is suflicient for the purpose of this narrative, to 
state, that from all the historical facts that we have been 
able to obtain from six of the most reliable histories of 
Texas, not less than two hundred thousand human 
beings were slain in the vain attempt to hold and obtain 
possession of the Province of Texas. 



THE LIFE OF SAM HOUSTON. 



15 



Wars and filibustering expeditions had nearly de- 
populated the country, in so much, that in 1822 there 
was less population than at the date of the San Saba 
massacre in 1758. Mexico in 1821, by a successful revo- 
lution became independent of the Crown of Spain, and 
Texas became a Province of Mexico. Great inducements 
were offered by Mexico to emigrants, to settle the unoc- 
cupied lands of Texas. The colonization laws of Mexico 
authorized the Governor of Texas to make special con- 
tracts for the introduction of Colonists. The law re 
quired that all emigrants should be of good moral char- 
acter, and take an oath to believe and support the 
Catholic religion. They were then qualified to own land, 
and entitled to all the rights and privileges of a native 
citizen. In 1821 Moses Austin entered into a contract 
with the government of Mexico to introduce three hun- 
dred families into Texas. Each man was to receive 640 
acres of land, his wife 320, each child 160, each slave 80. 
Austin was to receive five leagues and five labors for each 
one hundred families introduced, and the privilege of 
selecting the boundaries of the Colony. Before the con- 
tract was executed Moses Austin died, and his son, 
Stephen F., undertook to execute the agreement entered 
into by his father. He selected the portions of Texas 
within the 'following boundaries : The San Antonio road 
on the north ; the Lavaca river on the west ; the Gulf of 
Mexico on the South, and San Jacinto on the east. He 
accordingly brought to the country three hundred fami- 
lies and settled them in his colony. In the course of 
seven years he contracted and settled seven hundred 
more, making in all, one thousand families. All these 
colonists were persons of exalted moral character and 
intelligence. Austin, himself, was a perfect gentleman 
by nature and culture. He was appointed civil and 
military Governor of his Colony, and for twelve years 
his colonists were happy and prosperous. 



16 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF 



From 1821 to 1832 several parties obtained grants of 
large tracts of land, on condition of introducing colon- 
ists to the country; but none were so successful as 
Austin. In 1 832, the population of Texas consisted of 
15,000 American colonists, 5,000 Europeans and 2500 
Mexicans. 

In 1824 the Government of Mexico adopted a constitu- 
tion republican in form. The style of the Government 
was the United States of Mexico. Each of the provinces 
of the Central Government were to have a separate local 
government, similar to that of the United States. The 
constitution provided that Texas, at a near future period, 
was to be admitted into the Union as one of the confede- 
rate States. This turn of affairs inspired the colonists 
with great hopes. The American colonists had young 
children growing up, and they desired to establish 
schools for their education. They desired, also, to erect 
churches for free religious worship. These liberal ideas 
of the Anglo-American colonists soon attracted the at- 
tention of the Mexican rulers, especially the Catholic 
priests, who were " the power behind the throne." They 
were willing that the colonists should have schools and 
churches, provided the Catholic religion and the Spanish 
language were taught. To teach any religion in churches 
or schools but the Catholic, was in violation of the laws 
of Central Mexico. For these and other reasons the 
supreme rulers of Mexico refused to the colonists their 
just rights under the constitution of 1824. It is true, if it 
is strange, that the colonists had all taken an oath (save 
and except David Crockett) to support the Catholic re- 
ligion ; but they did it with a mental reservation ; they 
labored and lived in hope that such tyrannical require- 
ments would soon give away to enlightened freedom. 

On the 6th of April, 1830, President Bustemente, hav- 
ing assumed the role of a despot, issued a proclamation 



THE LIFE OF SAM HOUSTON". 



17 



forbidding any citizens of the United States entering 
Texas ; and that it should be unlawful for any foreigner 
to engage in any mercantile pursuit. To enforce this 
despotic decree soldiers were quartered in the midst of 
all the colonists. These and numerous other tyrannical 
and unjust acts of the Supreme Ruler of Mexico were 
confronted with the stern and unyielding hostility and 
contempt of the high-born, intelligent and liberty loving 
American colonists, and a large number of native repub- 
licans. Immediately bloody conflicts occurred between 
the colonists and the Mexican soldiers. 

In 1832, Santa Anna espoused the Republican cause, 
dethroned the tyrant Bustemente, re established the con- 
stitution of 1824, and was elected President. This sud- 
den turn of affairs inspired Austin and others with ex- 
ultant hopes of receiving from the United States of 
Mexico just and honorable treatment, as the newly 
elected President was popular with the Republicans and 
a pretended friend to Austin. 

Santa Anna, on taking his seat as President, pledged 
himself to maintain and obey the Republican constitu- 
tion of 1824, and to recommend such measures as would 
protect every person in his just rights under the consti- 
tution. This had a tendency to calm the revolutionary 
spirit for a short time. At this period, 1832, Sam Hous- 
ton made his appearance. 

f Yoakum says he was "a man of extraordinary for- 
tunes." We further add that he was also a man of ex- 
traordinary physical and mental endowments. J He was, 
in height, six feet three inches, erect; weight, two;hundred 
pounds; broad, open countenance; an eye like unto the 
eagle; a massive brain, large and prominent directly over 
the eye-brow, caution and combativeness strikingly 
developed. Of all Texans he was the most imposing in 
personal appearance. Stephen F. Austin had more 



18 



BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCH OF 



culture, and possessed a more refined and loftier spiritual 
image, but Houston possessed a certain grand and ma- 
jestic look, that could be compared to no other public 
man that has lived since Washington, save and except 
Daniel Webster. No one who ever saw him forgot him. 
His eagle-eye read men at a glance. His grand and 
majestic personal appearance enabled him to control the 
excited masses at critical periods when no other person 
could. J At the first sight in 1832, his penetrating vision 



grasped the whole of Texas — her resources and capa- 
bilities of the then present and future ; a grasp that was 
only relaxed by death. In addition to his natural gifts 
he had been thoroughly educated and disciplined for his 
great work. He had lived among the Indians until he 
had acquired a perfect knowledge of their language, 
customs and manners. 

It is fit to state here the cause that brought him to 
Texas. When, in 1832, a war between the colonists and 
Central Mexico was possible, a message was sent to 
President Jackson, protesting against the immigration 
of Indians from the United States to Texas. 

These Indians, and others that had been domesticated 
by the Spanish missionaries, had obtained land grants 
from the Mexican Government, and were liable to become 
allies to the enemy, as it was the policy of the Mexicans 
to induce the Indians to believe that if the colonists cap- 
tured Texas they would be expelled from their lands, 

President Jackson accordingly appointed Houston 
secret Indian agent, to proceed to Texas and persuade 
such Indian tribes he could to return to the United 
States and negotiate treaties with the others to be at 
peace with the colonists. In obedience to that appoint- 
ment he visited every Indian tribe from the Sabine to 
the Bio Grande. His mission was so successful that the 
Indians were quiet and peaceable during the war of the 
Texas revolution. No other man had the ability to ren- 




THE LIFE OF SAM HOUSTON. 



19 



der such important services to the cause in which the 
colonists were engaged. The Indians, at that time, were 
able to muster three thousand five hundred warriors. 
Houston told the Indians that if they would be friends 
of the colonists that no white man would put sticks 
down on their land. It is a historical fact that not one 
of these Indians was the first to break the solemn 
treaty. 

We here insert a letter written by Houston to Presi- 
dent Jackson : » 

Nachitoces, La., February 13, 1833. 

To President Jackson: 

Dear Sir — Having been as far as Bexar in the province of Texas, 
where I had an interview with the Comanche Indians, I am in possession 
of some information that will doubtless be interesting to you, and may be 
calculated to forward your views, if you should entertain any, touching the 
acquisition of Texas by the United States. That such a measure is de- 
sirable by nineteen-twentieths of the population of the province, I cannot 
dovibt. They are now without laws to govern or protect them. Mexico 
is involved in civil war. The Federal Constitution has never been in oper- 
ation. The government is essentially despotic, and must be so for years 
to come. The rulers have not honesty, and the people have not intelli- 
gence. 

The people of Texas are determined to form a State government, and 
to separate from foahuila ; and unless Mexico is soon restored to order 
and the Constitution revived and re-enacted, the Province of Texas, 
will remain seperate from the confederacy of Mexico. She has already 
beaten and expelled all the troops of Mexico from her soil, nor will she 
permit them to return. She can defend herself against the whole power 
of Mexico; for really Mexico is powerless to all intents and purposes. 
Her want of money, taking in connection with the course which Texas 
must and will adopt, will render a transfer of Texas inevitable to some 
power ; and if the United States does not press for it, England will most 
assuredly obtain it by some means. Now is a very important crisis for 
Texas, as relates to her future prosperity and safety, as well as the relation 
it is to bear toward the United States. If Texas is desirable to the United 
States, it is now in the most favorable attitude, perhaps, that it can be, to 
obtain it on fair terms. England is pressing her suit for it, but its citizens 
will resist if any transfer should be made of them to any other power but 
the United States. 



20 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF 



I have traveled nearly five hundred miles across Texas, and am now- 
enabled to judge pretty correctly of the soil and the resources of the coun- 
try. And I have no hesitation in pronouncing it the finest country, to its 
extent, upon the globe ; for the greater portion of it is richer and more 
healthy, in my opinion, than West Tennessee. There can be no doubt but 
the country east of the Rio Grande would sustain a population of ten 
millions of souls. My opinion is, that Texas will, by her members in con- 
vention, on the ist of April, declare all that country as Texas proper, and 
form a State Constitution. I expect to be present at the Convention, and 
will apprise you of the course adopted so soon as its members have taken a 
final action. It is probable I may make Texas my abiding place ; in adopt- 
ing this course, I will never forget the country of my birth. 

From this point I will notify the commissioners of the Indians at Fort 
Gibson of my success, which will reach you through the War Department. 

I have with much pride and inexpressible satisfaction seen your mes- 
sages and proclamation touching the nullifiers of the South, and their 
"peaceable remedies." God grant that you may save the Union ! It does 
seem to me that it is reserved for you, and you alone, to render millions 
so great a,blessing. I hear all voices commend your course, even in Texas, 
where is felt the liveliest interest for the preservation of the Republic. 

Permit me to tender you my sincere felicitations, and most earnest 
solicitude for your health and happiness, and your future glory, connected 
with the prosperity of the Union. 

Your friend and obedient servant, 

SAM HOUSTON. 

Houston, at the earnest solicitation of many of his 
friends, was induced to make Texas his home and share 
the fortunes of the colonists in their struggle for inde- 
pendence. 

He and other thoughtful men believed at that early 
period that absolute and unconditional independence of 
the Central Government of Mexico was the only cure for 
the evils that the Texans complained of. Others, among 
whom was Stephen F. Austin, were desirous of applying 
to the Supreme Government for permission to organize a 
local State government under the constitution of 1824. 
The views of Austin and those who coincided with him 
(among whom were several Mexican republicans) pre- 
vailed. 



THE LIFE OF SAM HOUSTON. 



21 



In April, 1833, a convention was held at San Felipe, 
composed of delegates from the several municipalities, 
for the purpose of drafting a State constitution and a 
memorial to the Supreme Rulers of Mexico. Among 
these delegates were Sam Houston, Stephen F. Austin, 
Branch T. Archer, J. B. Miller and William H. Wharton. 
No superior body of men for patriotism, bravery and 
statesmanship ever assembled on the American conti- 
nent. 

Sam Houston was appointed chairman of the com- 
mittee to draft a constitution. The constitution, as first 
drafted, was in compliance with his idea of republican- 
ism. It demanded the right of trial by jury, the writ of 
habeas corpus, freedom of the press, direct and univer- 
sal suffrage, free religion and free schools. That por- 
tion that had reference to free religion and free schools, 
was stricken out at the request of Austin, because he 
thought it would be offensive to Supreme Rulers of 
Mexico. 

David Gr. Burnet was appointed to draw up a memo- 
rial to be presented the Mexican authorities. The fol- 
lowing is an extract from the memorial : 

TEXAN MEMORIAL. 

The inhabitants of Texas by their representatives elect in convention 
assembled, would respectfully approach the National Congress, and pre- 
sent this their memorial, praying that the Union, which was established 
between Coahuila and Texas, whereby the two ancient provinces were in- 
corporated into one free and independent State, under the name of Coahuila 
and Texas, may be dissolved, abrogated and perpetually cease; and that 
the inhabitants of Texas may be authorized to institute and establish a 
separate State Government, which will be in accordance with the Federal 
Constitution. 

The honorable Congress need not be informed that a large portion of 
the population of Texas is of foreign origin. They have been invited here 
by the munificent liberality and plighted faith of the Mexican Government, 
and they stand pledged, by every moral and religious principle, and by 
every sentiment of honor, to requite that liberality, and reciprocate the 
faithful performance of the guarantee to "protect their liberties, property 



22 



BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCH OF 



and civil rights," by a cheerful dedication of their moral and physical 
energies to the advancement of their adopted country. But it is also ap- 
parent to the intelligence of the honorable Congress that the best mode of 
securing the permanent attachment of such a population is, to incorporate 
them into the Federal system, on such equitable terms as will i-edress every 
grievance, remove every cause of complaint, and insure, not only an identity 
of interests, but an eventual blending and assimilation of all that is now 
foreign and incongruous. 

Austin was appointed by the Convention, to proceed 
to the City of Mexico, and present the Constitution and 
memorial adopted by the Convention to the National 
authorities for their consideration. 

He arrived at the City of Mexico in June, 1833, and 
with a long low bow, laid the Constitution and the me- 
morial at the feet of Santa Anna, with great expectations 
of receiving a favorable response. Santa Anna not be- 
ing republican in form, or in reality, ordered Austin ar- 
rested and confined in prison without any charge of 
crime being preferred. In close confinement he was kept 
for two years. He effected his release by writing a letter 
to his friends in Texas laudatory of Santa Anna, which 
he knew was certain to fall into his hands. Here-ap- 
peared in Texas, and reported to his constituents the re- 
sult of his mission. On the 8th of September he ad- 
dressed an assemblage of citizens of Brazoria, in refer- 
ence to his mission, which is too long to insert. 

On the 3d of October, 1835, Santa Anna having as- 
sumed the powers of a despot, issued a decree suspend- 
ing the authority of all civil officers in Texas, created by 
the legislative authority, and stationed military forces 
in the different municipalities to enforce the administra- 
tion of such civil and military officers, as the central 
Government should recognize and appoint. The decree 
also ordered and empowered the military commanders 
to arrest and disarm all disloyal citizens. These revolu- 
tionary and despotic measures, in conjunction with the 



THE LIFE OF SAM HOUSTON. 



23 



imprisonment of Austin, stimulated the Texas patriots 
to rise in rebellion at once. 

A military force was organized. Austin was elected 
commander of the troops. On the 2d October, 1835, a 
battle was fought ai; Gonzales, in which the Texan s de- 
feated and captured the Mexican garrison. On the 8th 
of the same month the Texans surprised and captured 
the garrison stationed at Goliad, taking twenty five 
prisoners, a large quantity of arms, and ten thousand 
dollars in specie. On the 2d of December, 1835, the 
Texans, in command Colonel Edward Burleson, (Gen. 
Austin having resigned to attend the consultation con- 
vention) attacked the Mexican forces stationed at San 
Antonio consisting of two thousand men in command of 
General Cos (Santa Anna's brother-in-law). After four 
days hard fighting, in which the Texans performed 
heroic and daring feats of bravery, General Cos sur- 
rendered with twelve hundred of his command prisoners 
of war. This important and decisive victory disposed of 
the entire military force stationed in Texas by the 
National Government. Austin, Johnson, Fannin, Bowie, 
Crockett. Milam and many other brave spirits, dis- 
tinguished themselves by acts of bravery and submis- 
sion to hardship. The brave and gallant Milam fell 
leading an assaulting column. General Austin, before 
leaving the army, requested Houston to take command, 
but he refused because he did not wish to interfere with 
the aspirations of others who had been duly elected to 
command. He, nevertheless, rendered important aid in 
a subordinate capacity. , — — 

Notwithstanding the first compaign in 1835 was so 
successful and brilliant, it was barren of results. A ma- 
jority of the Colonists were still inclined to acknowl- 
edge themselves citizens of Mexico. Among whom was 
Stephen F. Austin. They were in favor of contending 



24 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF 



for their rights under the Constitution and laws of Cen- 
tral Mexico. Many of the Colonists, engaged in agricul- 
ture, stock raising and other occupations, were appre- 
hensive of a wreck of private fortunes, in the event that 
they should be overpowered in the attempt to establish 
an independent Republic. 

Sam Houston and other bold spirits, such as Crockett, 
Travis, Fannin and others, believed that there were but 
two courses for the Colonists to pursue. One was, ab- 
solute and unconditional secession from the pretended 
Mexican Confederacy, organize a Republican Govern- 
ment, and defend it with their swords. The other course 
to pursue was, to abandon the country. 

Houston and others did not believe that persons born 
and educated in the United States could ever live in 
peace under a government controlled and managed by 
sacli ignorant, pries tridden and tyrannical people, as 
were the Mexicans. 

Not having been permitted to have their own way, 
and being men in possession of great knowledge of 
human nature, they considered it according to the eter- 
nal fitness of things to let public opinion take its natur- 
al course. 

On the 12th of November, 1835, a consultation conven- 
tion assembled and organized a Provisional Government. 
Henry Smith was elected Governor ; J.W. Johnson, Lieut. - 
Governor; Sam Houston, Commander in-chief of the 
army. A Council, composed of one member from each 
Municipality, was appointed. An organic law was en- 
acted which empowered the Council and the Governor to 
organize an army and provide means for its support. The 
Convention passed resolutions, in substance, declaring 
war against the National Government, to be continued 
as long as the central powers withheld from Texas her 



THE LIFE OF SAM HOUSTON. 



25 



right to organize a State Government in conformity to 
the Constitution of 1824. 

On the 12th of December, 1835, Gen. Houston assumed 
command of the army. Among his junior officers were 
Colonels F. W. Fannin, William B. Travis and F. W. 
J ohnson. The army, at that period, consisted of 750 effec- 
tive men, well armed and equipped. The successful 
campaign of 1835, that had recently transpired, inspired 
these fearless men with great enthusiasm and confidence 
of being able to successfully overcome any military 
force that the Mexican Government could organize. 
They were ambitious to engage in battle array on 
more fields of conquest, that would yield military re- 
nown and spoils of victory. Foresight and caution were 
no part of the valor of men, numbering only five hundred, 
who had in the short time of two months driven over five 
thousand Mexican military despots out of the country. 

On the 7th of January, 1836, the Council were in- 
duced to issue an order appointing F. W. Johnson and 
J. W. Fannin, military agents, to organize a military 
force to attack and capture Matamoras, and ap- 
pointed one Dr. Grant commander of the army. 
This illegal and imprudent order was issued secretly, 
because it was known that General Houston would be 
opposed to such an expedition. 

On the 21st Colon eF Johnson reported to General 
Houston at Refugio, a||f exhibited to him the order of 
the Council, and informed him of the plan of the intend- 
ed campaign. The intention of the Council was to su- 
persede Houston in the command of the army. After 
opposing the intended expedition with all the power 
and ingenuity he possessed, without effect, and believing 
his usefulness as commander of the army was at an end, 
he reported to Governor Smith and asked for a furlough. 



26 



BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCH OF 



We here insert a part of Houston's letter to Governor 
Smith : 

"Municipality of Washington, Jan. 30, 1836. 
" To Governor Henry Smith : 

"Sir— I have the honor to report to yon that, in obe- 
dience to your order under date of the 6th inst., I left 
Washington on the 8th, and reached Goliad on the night 
of the 14th." 

After writing about some important matters, he says : 
"The order of the Council, as set forth in the resolu- 
tions appointing Colonel Fannin agent, and authorizing 
him to appoint as many agents as he might think proper, 
did most certainly place him above the Governor and 
commander-in-chief of the army, nor is he responsible 
to the Council or the people of Texas. He is required to 
report, but he is not required to obey the Council. His 
powers are as unlimited and absolute as Cromwell's 
ever were. I regard the expedition, as now ordered, an 
individual, and not a national measure. The resolution 
passed in favor of J. W. Fannin, jr., and F. W. Johnson, 
and their proclamations with its original start — Dr. 
Grant — absolve the country from all responsibility for 
its consequences. If I had any doubt on the subject, 
previous to having seen at Goliad, a proclamation of J. 
W. Fannin, jr., sent by him to the volunteers, I could no 
longer entertain one, as to the campaign, so far as cer- 
tain persons are interested in forwarding it. After ap 
pealing to the volunteers he concluded with the assur- 
ance that 'the troops should be paid put of the first 
spoils taken from the enemy.' This, in my opinion, 
connected with the extraordinary powers granted to him 
by the Gouncil, divests the campaign of any character- 
save that of piratical or predatory war. 

"The people of Texas have declared to the world, that 
the war in which they are now engaged, is a war of prin- 



THE LIFE OF SAM HOUSTON. 



27 



ciple, in defence of their civil and political rights. What 
effect will the declaration, above referred to, have on the 
civilized world, when they learn that the person who 
made it has since been clothed with absolute powers by 
the General Council of Texas ; and that, because you re- 
fuse to ratify their acts, they have declared you no 
longer the governor of Texas ? It was stated by way of 
inducement to the advance on Matamoras, that the citi- 
zens of that place were friendly to the advance of the 
troops of Texas upon that city. They, no doubt, ere 
this, have J. W. Fannin's proclamation (though it was 
in manuscript), and if originally true, what will now be 
their feelings toward men who 'are to be paid out of the 
first spoils taken from the enemy.' The idea which 
must present itself to the enemy, will be, if the city is 
taken it will be given up to pillage ; and when the spoils 
are collected a division will take place. In war, when 
spoil is the object, friends and enemies share one com- 
mon destiny. This rule will govern the citizens of Mata- 
moras in their conclusions, and render their resistance 
desperate. A city containing twelve thousand souls will 
not be taken by a handful of men who have marched 
twenty-two days without breadstuff, or necessary sup- 
plies for an army. If there ever was a time when Mata- 
moras could have been taken by a few men, that time 
has passed by. The people of that place are not aware 
of the high-minded and honorable men who fill the ranks 
of the Texan army. They will look upon them as they 
would look upon Mexican mercenaries, and resist them 
as such. They too will hear of the impressment of the 
property of the citizens of Bexar, as reported to your 
excellency by Lieut. -Colonel Neill, when Dr. Grant left 
that place for Matamoras in command of the volunteer 
army. 

"If the troops advance upon Matamoras, there ought 



28 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF 



to be a co-operation by sea, with the land forces, or all 
will be lost ; and the brave men who have come to toil 
with us in our marches, and mingle in our battles for 
liberty, will fall a sacrifice to the selfishness of some 
who have individual purposes to answer, and whose in- 
fluence with the Council has been such as to impose 
upon the honest part of its members ; while those who 
were otherwise, availed themselves of every artifice 
which they could devise to shield themselves from de- 
tection. 

"The evil is now done and I trust sincerely that the 
1st of March may establish a government on some per- 
manent foundation, where honest functionaries will re- 
gard and execute the known and established laws of the 
country, agreeably to their oaths. If this state of things 
cannot be achieved, the country must be lost. I feel, in 
the station which I hold, that every effort of the Council 
has been to mortify me individually, and, if possible, to 
compel me to do some act which would enable them to 
pursue the same measures toward me, which they have 
illegally done toward Your Excellency, and thereby re- 
move another obstacle to the accomplishment of their 
plans. In their attempts to embarrass me, they were 
reckless of all prejudice which might result to the public 
service from their lawless course. 

"While the Council was passing resolutions affecting 
the army of Texas, and transferring to J. W. Fannin, jr., 
and F. W. Johnson the whole control of the army and 
resources of Texas, they could order them to be furnished 
with copies of the several resolutions passed by that 
body, but did not think proper even to notify the Major- 
General of the army of their adoption ; nor have they 
yet caused him to be furnished with the acts of the 
Council relative to the army. True it is, that they 
passed a resolution to that effect, but it never was com- 



THE LIFE OF SAM HOUSTON". 



29 



plied with. Their object must have been to conceal, 
and not to promulgate their acts. ' They have loved 
darkness rather than light, because their deeds are evil.' 

"I do not consider the Council as a constitutional 
body, nor their acts lawful. They have no quorum 
agreeably to the organic law, and therefore I am com- 
pelled to regard all their acts as void. The body has 
been composed cf seventeen members, and I perceive that 
the act of 'suspension,' passed against your excellency, 
was by only ten members present ; the president pro 
tern, having no vote. Only ten members remain, when 
less than twelve members could not form a quorum 
agreeably to the organic law, which required two thirds 
of the whole body. I am not prepared to violate either 
my duty or my oath, by yielding obedience to an act 
manifestly unlawful, as it is, in my opinion, prejudicial 
to the welfare of Texas. 

"The Lieutenant-Governor, and several members of tne 
Council, I believe to be patriotic and just men ; but there 
have been, and when I left San Felipe there were, others 
in that body on whose honesty and integrity the fore 
going facts will be the best commentary. They must 
also abide the judgment of the people. 

"I have the honor to be, 

"Your excellency's obd't servant, 

"SAM HOUSTON, 
"Commander-in-Chief of the Army." 

v The above communication to Governor Smith is a 
truthful exposition of the intended Matamoras compaign, 
and the illegal and ill-advised acts of the Council. Gov- 
ernor Smith granted Houston a furlough. A copy is 
here inserted: "Your absence is permitted, in part, by 
the illegal acts of the Council in superseding you, by 
the unauthorized appointment of agents to organize and 
control the army, contrary to the organic law, and the 



30 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF 



ordinances of their own body. In the meantime, you 
will conform to your instructions, and treat with the 
Indians." 

The administration of the imbecile, corrupt and ineffi- 
cient Council, convinced Houston and other prominent 
Secessionists, that the time had arrived for the Colonists 
to organize an independent government, having but one 
head, and to that head the people should yield willing 
obedience, especially in all military organizations. He 
not only negotiated important treaties with Indians, but 
he, in his intercourse with the people, in private conver- 
sation, as well as in public speeches, advocated the policy 
of calling a convention to make a declaration of uncon - 
ditional independence, and to organize a permanent con- 
stitutional government, democratic in form. As was al- 
ways the case, previous to 1860, when he appealed to the 
people, his efforts were crowned with success. Governor 
Smith and the Council were compelled to yield to the 
voice of the people, and an election was ordered 
to elect delegates to meet in convention at Wash- 
ington on the hrst day of March, 1836, to organize a more 
perfect form of government. This was the first great 
and effective step taken in the direction of establishing, 
by means of a permanent government, free, civil and 
religious institutions in the territory of Texas. During 
one hundred and fifty years her beautiful and flowery 
prairies, from the Sabine to the Rio Grande, had been 
crimsoned with human blood in deadly strife in vain at- 
tempts to establish an organized government on her 
soil. 

On the day appointed, the convention assembled. Sam 
Houston took his seat in the Convention as one of the 
elected delegates. On the 2d of March, 1836, a Declara- 
tion of Independence was adopted. One clause is here 
inserted. 



THE LIFE OF SAM HOUSTON. 



31 



"It" (the Mexican Government) "denies us the right of 
worshipping the Almighty according to the dictates of 
our own conscience, by the support of a national religion 
calculated to promote the temporal interest of its human 
functionaries, rather than the glory of the true and 
living God." 

On the 4th the Convention re-appointed Sam Houston 
commander-in chief of the army "with all the rights, 
privileges and powers due to a commander in chief in 
the United States of America," and on the 6th ordered 
him to organize a military force and reinforce Colonel 
Travis at San Antonio. 

On the 16th, the Convention adopted the Constitution 
of the Republic, and appointed David G. Burnet presi- 
dent, and Lorenzo de Zavala, vice-president. 

When information reached the seat of government in 
Mexico of the inglorious defeat of General Cos at San 
Antonio, Santa Anna, at that period, the most popular 
man in Mexico, made stirring and eloquent appeals to the 
Mexican citizens to rally to the standard of their country ? 
recover the lost ground, and wipe out the disgrace. He 
had no trouble in raising' an army of eight thousand 
soldiers, equipped with all the weapons of modern war- 
fare. A large portion were veterans in former battles. 
He selected his ablest and most experienced generals to 
command the different divisions of his army — such as 
Almonte, Filisola, Woll, Cos and others. The object and 
purpose that Santa Anna had in view, was to invade 
Texas, kill or drive every rebellious subject out 
of the country, confiscate their property, and take meas- 
ures to stop further immigration from the United States. 
He proposed to command the army in person. The mil- 
itary forces in Texas, January. 1836, were one hundred 
and forty-five men stationed at San Antonio, under 
command of Colonel Travis, and six hundred stationed 



32 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF 



at Goliad , San Patricio and Refugio in command of 
Colonel Fannin. 

This military organization was on the eve of marching 
in the direction of Matamoras at the same period that 
Santa Anna was marching into Texas. The Mexican 
army consisted of two divisions, numbering four thou- 
sand each. One division, under command of Santa Anna, 
reached San Antonio, February 22, 1836. On the ap- 
proach of Santa Anna, Colonel Travis, contrary to all 
rules of military strategy, retired with his command 
consisting of one hundred and forty -five men, within the 
fortress of the Alamo, and made preparations to stand a 
siege. 

The armament of the fort consisted of fourteen 
mounted cannon with a good supply of ammunition- 
Santa Anna invested the fort with his militia, and com- 
menced throwing up breast-works, and placing his artil- 
lery in position, with a view to bombard the fortress. 

The Texans opened fire from the fort on the position 
of the enemy with their artillery. The Mexicans re- 
turned the fire with like weapons. A constant bombard- 
ment was kept up for twelve days without any important 
result. 

On the 2d of March, Captain John W. Smith with 
thirty-two soldiers from Gonzales forced their way 
through the Mexican lines and entered the fort. On the 
24th of February, Travis sent a courier to Colonel Fannin 
for reinforcements. For reasons never explained, 
Colonel Fannin never attempted to respond to the call. 

On the 2d of March Colonel Travis sent a dispatch to 
the president of the convention, in session at Washing- 
ton, informing him of his critical condition. He says : 
U I hope your honorable body will hasten on reinforce- 
ments and ammunition as soon as possible." After 
twelve days of constant skirmishing and discharge of 
artillery between the besieged and the enemy Santa 



THE LIFE OF SAM HOUSTON. 



33 



Anna called a council of his field officers and proposed 
to capture the fortress by assault regardless of cost. He 
divided his infantry into four columns, supplied them 
with scaling ladders, crowbars and axes, and placed them 
in command of his most experienced officers. His orders 
were carefully matured and given. He ordered each 
column to be ready at midnight to simultaneously as- 
sault the enemy's work. Owing to some cause of delay 
the assault did not commence until 4 o'clock Sunday 
morning, March 6th. The Texans resisted the advance 
of the enemy with undaunted bravery by the use of their 
artillery and small arms, causing great slaughter. 

The enemy after several repulses, at the break of day, 
scaled the walls of the fort and entered the enclosure. 
When within the fort a desperate hand to hand conflict 
ensued. When the smoke of battle cleared away the 
Mexicans held the fort, and every Texan was a corpse 
on the field of battle. A great amount of sensational 
and unreliable pretended history has been written about 
this battle, first and last. But the exact particulars of 
the conflict within the enclosure of the fort is known, 
only, from the position of the slain at the termination of 
the battle. Travis and Bonham fell near the cannon 
they were firing. Bowie died on his couch. Crockett fell 
encircled with the slain of the enemy. Where a lifeless 
Texan lay, in close proximity were many of the enemy's 
dead. 

The deeds of the Alamo martys considered only in the 
light of heroic daring and calm submission to fate, in all 
coming time will furnish prolific themes for the painter, 
poet and historian. 

The loss to Texas of so many valuable lives was great 
compared to that of the enemy. 

Santa Anna, at the period he crossed the Rio Grande 
with the first division of his army, being in possession 



34 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF 



of information of the intended Matamoras campaign, 
ordered General Jose Urrea in command of the second 
division of his army, numbering four thousand men, to 
march down to Matamoras and cross the river at that 
point, and march parallel with the coast, in the direction 
of San Patricio and Goliad, in order to intercept the 
Texan forces, in the event they were threatening Mata- 
moras. General Urrea reached San Patricio the 28th of 
February, 1836, surprised and captured the Texan forces 
stationed at that place, consisting of seventy-five sol- 
diers in command of Colonel Johnson. The next day 
Urrea ordered all the officers and privates shot, except 
Colonel Johnson, who escaped by flight, and Dr. Grant, 
who was spared to care for the sick and wounded Mexi- 
cans. On the 16th the Mexican advance surprised Capt. 
King, in command of forty men, who surrendered to the 
Mexicans, after a slight resistance, prisoners of war. 
Urrea immediately ordered the entire command massa 
cred. On the 17th Urrea, with the main body of his 
army, reached Goliad, at which place Colonel Fannin 
was stationed in command of three hundred men ; after 
waiting twenty-four hours expecting an attack, retreated 
in the direction of Victoria ; after marching his com- 
mand ten miles he halted in an open prairie for rest. 

During the time that Col. Fannin and his command were 
resting, the enemy had succeeded in completely sur 
rounding him. Colonel Fannin immediately commenced 
making preparations to repel an attack. A furious and 
bloody battle was fought in which each assault of the 
Mexicans was repulsed with great slaughter. The con 
flict lasted until dark. The next morning Col. Fannin, 
being severely wounded in the fight the day previous, 
and finding his command still completely surrounded 
and his wounded suffering intense agony for water, 
after consulting with his officers, proposed to General 



THE LIFE OF SAM HOUSTON. 



35 



Urrea to surrender his command as prisoners of war on 
conditions : 

1st. Thar we should be received and treated as pris- 
oners of war, according to the usages of the most civil- 
ized nations. 

2d. That the men should "be sent to Copano, and thence 
to the United States in eight days, or so soon thereafter 
as vessels could be procured to take them. 

3d. The private property should be respected and re- 
stored ; that the side arms of the officers should be 
given up. 

4th. That the officers should be paroled, and return 
to the United States in like manner. 

That General Urrea signed and consented to the above 
agreement, there is not a shadow of doubt. 

In compliance with the terms of the capitulation. Col. 
Fannin and his command surrendered, and were marched 
bark to Goliad, and were imprisoned in the old mission. 

On the 20th, Captain Ward, in command of one hun- 
dred men, attempted to retreat to Victoria, but was over- 
taken by the Mexican cavalry, captured, and taken' to 
Goliad to share the fate of the other prisoners. 

On Sunday, the 27th of March, 1836, the officer in 
command of the fort received an order from Santa Anna 
to immediately execute by shooting Fannin and his men 
and Ward and his command, consisting of four hundred 
men. They were accordingly divided into four squads, 
and marched in different directions, a short distance 
from the fort, strongly guarded, and all shot. Those 
that were wounded were put to death by the sword. 
Several effected their escape by running amid the shower 
of bullets, some feigned death and escaped. 

TVe here insert some of the particulars of the death 
scene of the Goliad massacre, as related to the writer by 
one of the captives. He said : "Not one of Fannin's 



36 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF 



men would have consented to a surrender, had thev not 
believed that the terms of the surrender, as agreed to by 
General Urrea, would have been strictly complied with. 
Before the surrender we were all conscious of our peril- 
ous situation, being surrounded by an enemy, four to 
one, and cut off from water. If we perished we intended 
that many of the enemy should perish with us. We in- 
tended to die with weapons in our hands, facing the foe. 
The order for our execution never was revealed to one of 
us. It was well for the Mexican force, then stationed at 
Goliad, that it was not. The Texan prisoners, then, 
were in numbers equal to the Mexican guard. Had the 
order for our execution been read to us, we would have 
risen en masse, and attempted to seize some of the wea- 
pons of the guard. There^ would have been, at least, a 
desperate conflict. We would have sold our lives at a 
high price. On Sunday morning, March 27th, we were 
all in good cheer. Who had been singing 'Home, Sweet 
Home.' I was thinking of soon having the pleasure of 
meeting my mother, brothers and sisters, in Georgia. I 
presume many others of my lamented comrades were 
indulging in the same reflections, as the most of the 
slain were young men from Georgia. When we were 
ordered to form into columns for march I was delighted. 
I supposed thai; we were to be marched to Copano, to be 
sent home in compliance with the terms of the capitula- 
tion. But when we discovered that each column of us 
were being marched in different directions, separate and 
apart, we suspicioned treachery. When the squad that 
I was in had marched a short distance from the fort we 
heard the discharge of musketry. Then, for a very brief 
period, we all fully contemplated the fact that death was 
our speedy doom. In less than five minutes after we 
heard the first report of muskets, the guard that was in 
front dropped in the rear and side of us. The Captain 
of the guard gave the command to halt, and before we 



THE LIFE OF SAM HOUSTON. 



37 



had time to turn around we were all shot. The greater 
number fell mortally wounded at the first fire. Some 
were only wounded and were dispatched with the 
bayonet. Several made their escape amid a shower of 
bullets. I was in the act of turning around when shot, 
and made my escape by flight. The moans and wails 
that ascended to heaven from the lips of some of those 
young martyrs will haunt me to my grave." 

Santa Anna, by this unlawful and inhuman act, placed 
himself in the attitude of a military outlaw. These 
men of Goliad surrendered under a solemn compact, 
stipulating that their lives should be spared for a valu- 
able consideration, and be permitted to leave the country 
in peace, agreed to and signed by General Urrea, whose 
acts Santa Anna was bound to respect; and when he 
ordered their execution he violated a rule of civilized 
warfare, and wrote upon his forehead with his own hand, 
cowardly murderer, there to be read by civilized man in 
all coming time. 

Colonel Fannin had been ordered twice by General 
Houston to retreat to Victoria. The last order reached 
him on the 14th, five days previous to his surrender, 
which order he saw fit to disobey. This strange conduct, 
taken in connection with the other fact that he halted his 
command in broad daylight, in an open prairie, when 
he had knowledge that he was being pursued by the 
enemy with a superior force, renders his official conduct 
liable to unfavorable criticism at least. 

The serious and deplorable military reverses at San 
Antonio and Goliad had the effect, from sad experience, 
as well as from necessity, to cause the entire population 
of Texas, for the first time, to yield their unconditional 
obedience to the orders of General Houston, their only 
legitimate military commander. 

The sharp discipline that the colonist had experienced^ . 
resulting from the incompetency of military officers and 



38 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF 



* their disobedience to legitimate authority, taught them 
not only a serious lesson, but a useful one. 

As has been heretofore stated, Houston, on the 6th of 
March, 1836, was ordered by the delegates in convention 
assembled, at Washington, to organize all the military 
force possible, and proceed to San Antonio to the relief 
of Colonel Travis and his command. The General, in 
company with Deaf Smith, his confidential spy, reached 
Gonzales on the 11th. At that place he found three 
hundred and seventy enlisted men, many of them with- 
out arms, and all ignorant of military drill, and destitute 
of ammunition or means of transportation. 

On the 12th, unreliable reports reached the camp that 
Travis and his command had been overpowered and 
slaughtered. General Houston immediately ordered 
Deaf Smith, in command of a small detail, to proceed to 
San Antonio, and ascertain if the report was true ; and 
wrote to the Chairman of the Military Committee, as 
follows: "I am using all my endeavors to get a com- 
pany to send in view of the Alamo, and if possible 
arrive at the certainty of, what I believe, its fall." 

When the mournful and sad intelligence reached Gon- 
zales of the terrible fate of Travis and his command, ex- 
citement and anguish among the people prevailed in the 
extreme, as not less than fifty of the slain were residents 
of that place. The relatives and friends of these 
martyrs, not only bewailed the tragic end of the dead, 
but they were in great fear for their own safety, and 
they rushed to the headquarters of General Houston to 
be informed what they must do to be saved. "Obey my 
orders," was his reply. 

Houston having received information, on the report of 
Captain Deaf Smith, that the enemy was advancing in 
the direction of Gonzales, and, as he considered, not 
having sufficient force to risk a battle, concluded to re- 
treat t3 the Colorado, form a conjunction with Colonel 



THE LIFE OF SAM HOUSTON. 



39 



Fannin's command, and make an attempt to resist the 
advance of the enemy. 

The General-in-Chief therefore advised the inhabitants 
to avail themselves of all means of transportation, and 
move east, in the direction of the Sabine river, taking 
with them all valuables possible and destroy the re- 
mainder. 

At midnight, on the 12th, the panic-stricken inhabi 
tants were on their flight east in the direction of the 
Colorado, followed by Houston and his small band of 
warriors, numbering 370. All the transportation avail- 
able consisted of two yoke of oxen and one wagon. 

On the 14th, the General and his command encamped 
on the Navidad. 

On the 15th of March, he wrote to the chairman of the 
military committee, from camp Navidad, as follows : 

"Since I had the honor to address you from Gonzales, 
the lady of Lieut. Dickenson, who fell at the Alamo, has 
arrived and confirms the fall of the place. I am fearful 
Goliad is besieged by the enemy. My order to Colonel 
Fannin, directing the place to be blown up ; the cannon 
to be sunk in the river, and to fall back to Victoria, 
would reach him before the ene my could advance. That 
they have advanced upon the place in strong force, I 
have no doubt, and when I heard of the fall of the Alamo, 
and the number of the enemy, I knew it must be the 
case. 

"Our forces must not be shut up in forts, where they 
can neither be supplied with men nor provisions. Long 
aware of this fact, I directed, on the 16th of January last, 
that the artillery should be removed, and the Alamo 
blown up, but it was prevented by the contemplated ex 
pedition upon Matamoras, the author of all our misfor- 
tunes, but I am satisfied we can save the country. 

"Encourage volunteers from the United States. We 



40 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF 



must have the friendship of the Comanches and other 
Indians." 

Truly, Houston could exclaim that the intended Mata- 
moras expedition was a misfortune, because it was the 
direct and lamentable result of a loss to the Texan army 
within one month of 750 as brave men as ever shouldered 
a musket or drew a sabre, and all their artillery, ammu- 
nition and small arms. 

The retreating army arrived at Burnhams, on the Colo- 
rado, on the 17th, and encamped. 

On the 25th a courier reached the camp, bearing the 
sad and deplorable information, that Fannin had been 
defeated by the Mexicans, and had surrendered with all 
his command. 

When this information reached the colonial settle- 
ments, it caused a general stampede of the inhabitants 
in the direction of the Sabine, and it not only had an in- 
jurious effect on the men in camp, but it prevented many 
from joining the army. When the soldiers listened to 
the voice of sorrow that came to them irom their families, 
and witnessed their distress, they desired to advance and 
attack the enemy, or leave the army and go to their 
relief. 

Nothing but the superhuman efforts of Houston 
could have preserved discipline in the Texan army at 
that critical period. 

The Texan army, at that time, had been re enforced 
by volunteers until it numbered 650 men. 

The Mexican army were making rapid marches in de- 
tached columns in pursuit of the retreating Texans. 
They were well supplied with means of transportation, 
and the nature of the country west of the Colorado was 
such that Santa Anna could have concentrated his en 
tire command, consisting of 8,000 men in a short space 
of time. On the 25th of March, the advance column of 
the enemy, consisting of 800 men, had reached a point 



THE LIFE OF SAM HOUSTON. 



41 



opposite the Colorado. A large number of the officers 
and privates in the Texan army were in favor of crossing 
the river and contest the further advance of the enemy. 
But Houston being in possession of information, that 
his officers and men had not, concluded to retreat to the 
Brazos. 

On the 26th, General Houston addressed his army as 
follows : 

" Fellow Soldiers : The only army in Texas is now 
present. Travis has fallen with his men at the Alamo. 
Fannin's troops have been massacred at Goliad. There 
are none to aid us. There is but a small force, and yet 
it is all that Texas has. We might cross the river and 
attack the enemy. We might be victorious — but we 
might be overcome. There are but few of us, and if we 
fall, the fate of Texas is sealed. For this reason, and 
until I feel able to meet the enemy in battle, I shall 
retreat." 

The same day, the Texan army in compliance to the 
order of the General-in-Chief, resumed the line of march 
to the Brazos, and reached Groce's plantation on the 
28th. 

Volumes have been written denunciatory of General 
Houston for ordering the retreat of his army from the 
Colorado, by men who assume the vain and futile task 
of attempting to reverse a fixed decree of Divine Provi- 
dence, by fighting the battle of San Jacinto on the west 
bank of the Colorado. 

Houston's reasons for ordering the retreat, and the 
vindication of himself against the written and verbal 
assaults of his enemies, the reader will find set forth in 
his speech at Houston in 1845, to an assemblage of citi- 
zens met for that special purpose. 

On the 29th, Houston wrote to General Rusk, Secretary 
of War, as follows: "Sir: On my arrival on the Brazos, 



42 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF 



had I consulted the wishes of all, I should have been 
like the ass, between two stacks of hay. Many wished 
me to go below, others above. I consulted none. I held 
no councils of war. If I err, the blame is mine. Send 
all the reinforcements of private soldiers you can, but 
no generals. I have too many now. Deaf Smith is out, 
and, if living, I will hear the truth and all important 
news." 

On the 7th of April, 1836, Houston issued the follow- 
ing army order: 

"Headquarters of the Army, ) 
Camp West of Brazos, April 7th. j 

"Army Orders — 

"The advance of the enemy is at San Felipe. The 
moment for which we have waited with anxiety and in- 
terest is fast approaching. The victims of the Alamo, 
and the moans of those who were murdered at Goliad, 
call for cool, deliberate vengeance. Strict discipline, or- 
der and subordination will insure us the victory. 

"The army will be in readiness for action at a 
moment's warning. The field officers have the immedi- 
ate execution of this order in charge for their respective 
commands. > SAM HOUSTON", 

"Commander in- Chief." 

The General, on the 14th, upon receiving information 
from his scouts that Santa Anna was crossing the 
Brazos below him with a force estimated at one thousand 
men, and was marching in the direction of Harrisburg, 
determine ! to pursue with all possible speed, intercept 
and attack him before he could cross Buffalo Bayou. 

At this period, the Texans received, as a present from 
the citizens of Ohio, two pieces of artillery which were 
named the "Twin Sisters." 

On th 1<Shh, Houston with his command reached Har- 
risbni . Dt'af Smith, who had been sent out to observe 



THE LIFE OF SAM HOUSTON. 



43 



the movements of the enemy, returned with two captive 
Mexicans. One of the captives was a bearer of dis- 
patches from Santa Anna. The information derived 
from this source, disclosed the fact that Santa Anna 
was on the west side of Buffalo Bayou in command of 
one thousand men, and had ordered General Cos, who 
was in command of five hundred soldiers, to reinforce 
him immediately; and that it was the intention of Santa 
Anna to cross the Bayou and march east. On the morn- 
ing of the 19th, the Texas General, leaving his surplus 
baggage on the east side of the Bayou, crossed with his 
command over to the west side, and marched day and 
night in the direction of Lynch's Ferry. On the morn- 
ing of the 20th, his scouts encountered the advance of 
Santa Anna's command numbering one thousand five 
hundred. Santa Anna was so surprisod at the sudden 
appearance of the Texans, that he halted his command 
and commenced erecting breastworks. 

During the day some skirmishing occurred between 
the contending forces, in which the advance move- 
ments of the enemy were repulsed. 

On the morning of the 21st, Houston discovered that 
Santa Anna had taken position within one fourth of a 
mile from his camp, at the edge of a skirt of timber. 
He ordered Deaf Smith to ascertain the feelings of the 
officers and men in regard to an immediate attack of the 
enemy. While his confidential spy was mingling in 
conversation with the officers and men, he carefully ma- 
tured a plan of battle. 

In a brief space of time, Deaf Smith reported that 
all the privates and some of the officers were anxious to 
charge the enemy, but that some of the officers were en- 
gaged in trying to agree as to who should be placed in 
command of the army. 

Immediately after Deaf Smith had reported his obser- 



44 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF 



vation, several of the officers waited upon Gen. Houston 
and requested that he would call a council of c war. The 
General accordingly called a council of six senior officers, 
to meet at 12 o'clock in., and ordered Deaf Smith to de- 
stroy the bridge over Vince's Bayou, and report to him 
immediately. The council met at the time appointed. 
The General submitted the propositions to the council, 
"whether we should attack the enemy in position, or 
wait to be attacked." The two junior officers were 
for an immediate attack of the enemy. The four seniors 
were for delay. 

Houston, at 3 o'clock p. m., issued orders to the com- 
manders of the several divisions of his army to parade 
their commands in line preparatory to attack the enemy. 
Col. Burleson, in command of a division of infantry, was 
assigned to the centre. Colonel Sherman, in command of 
one regiment, formed the left wing. The twin sisters in 
command of Colonel Hockley were placed on the right. 
Four companies of infantry in command of Col. Millard 
sustained the artillery. The cavalry in command of 
Colonel Lamar were stationed on the extreme right. 
The entire command numbered 750 men. 

Santa Anna had taken position with his artillery in 
the centre, supported by a portion of his infantry, with 
the remainder on his right, his cavalry of his left, and 
protected by breastworks. The entire force consisted 
of 1,500 effective men. 

There stand the two armies confronting each other in 
battle array with a great issue before them to try. 

Santa Anna and his men are the representatives of a 
race that had for a century repelled with the sword every 
attempt of enlightened freemen to plant the tree of liberty 
on the beautiful and fertile domain of the great empire 
of Texas, till the blood of one hundred thousand human 
beings had crimsoned her verdant prairies. They are, 



THE LIFE OF SAM HOUSTON. 



45 



also, the recent cruel murderers of 750 christian soldiers, 
who had been overpowered in their atttempt to enforce 
their rights under a solemn contract by which they were 
induced to become citizens of Texas. 

The Texans represent the highest type of Christian civ- 
ilization, and civil liberty. They stand in line of battle, 
impatient, not only to avenge the wrongs of the past, 
but to strike such a blow as will free their country from 
bondage. 

At 4 o'clock, p. m., Deaf Smith returned and reported 
the bridge over Vince's Bayou destroyed. 

Houston issued an order, directed to the officers in 
command, to be ready to charge the enemy, that Vince's 
bridge was destroyed, which closed all avenues of retreat. 
"It is death or victory." 

The commander in-chief, after invoking Divine aid, 
rode to the front, pointing his sword to the breast- works 
of the enemy, delivered the order, "Charge ! comrades 
Charge !" "Remember the Alamo." "Remember Go- 
liad," words that will be remembered as long as the 
world stands and will live through all eternity. Each 
division simultaneously in double quick time charged 
the entire force of the enemy ; after receiving the first 
discharge of the Mexican artillery, the Texans advanced 
within short range and discharged their weapons with 
such deadly effect, that in twenty minutes the enemy 
were routed and fleeing in every direction, fugitives 
from justice. 

The victory was complete. The loss to the Mexicans 
was six hundred and thirty killed, two hundred and 
eight wounded and six hundred and thirty prisoners , 
and all their munitions of war, including twelve thousand 
dollars in specie, and a large amount of camp stores. 
The Texans lost eight killed and twenty-five wounded. 



46 



BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCH OF 



Truly, the result of the battle was as fortunate for the 
Texans as it was unfortunate for the Mexicans. 

The enemy were completely taken by surprise. Santa 
Anna and most of his held officers were asleep, as usual 
at that period in the day. Many of the Mexican officers 
displayed heroic courage in attempting to rally and 
steady their men in line of battle, but were shot down 
by the advancing and impetuous Texans before they 
could bring their men into action. 

It seems that the hidden hand of the great Ruler was 
present in aid of the Texans on that eventful day, for 
the sequel discloses the fact, that while the great Texan 
General was at prayer God caused slumber to fall upon 
Santa Anna, which enabled the Texans to gain an easy 
and decisive victory. While the Texans, on the night 
of the 21st, were indulging in excess of joy over the 
spoils of victory, General Houston was at his camp, 
nursing his wound, and seriously considering how to 
secure the best result from the victory. He understood 
and comprehended the situation perfectly. General 
Filisola, Santa Anna's second officer in command, was 
at the Brazos in command of 4,000 Mexican soldiers, 
within two days march of the Texas camp. The men in 
the Texan army were demoralized and uncontrollable, 
their General was wounded and disabled from active 
field service. The sudden and unexpected attack of the 
Texans by the enemy, Houston was fearful would cause 
disaster to the Texan arms. 

To prevent such possibility claimed his serious con- 
sideration. 

A mistake or blunder, at this critical period, and all 
was lost. 

The sword had done its work effectually on the 21st ; on 
the 22d, wise statemanship and skillful diplomacy were 
in great demand, as that was the day on which the fruit 



i 



THE LIFE OF SAM HOUSTON. 47 



of the victory won on the field of battle was to be se- 
cured or lost. 

The disposition to be made of the Mexican prisoners 
of war was the important subject that claimed the atten- 
tion of the Texans on the 22d. Nine-tenths of the offi- 
cers in the Texan army were determined that all the 
Mexican officers of high rank should be tried and shot, 
especially Santa Anna, who had not been captured on 
the morning of the 22d. This suicidal and inhuman 
policy Houston opposed, single handed and alone, from 
the start. 

Houston feared that Santa Anna, in the event that he 
should be captured, would be killed before he could get 
possession of his person, but Providence interposes in 
behalf of the great cause of Texan independence. 

Late in the day of the 22d, Captain James A. Sylvester, 
in command of four privates, discovered some person 
lying down in the edge of the marsh covered up with a 
blanket. He ordered the person, whom he thought to be 
a Mexican soldier, to rise. He refused and commenced 
making some movements with his hands, seemingly with 
the intent to draw a weapon. One of the soldiers was 
in the act of shooting him, when he suddenly arose and 
gave the soldier, who was a mason, the masonic sign, 
which was providentially the means of saving the pris- 
oner's life. When told that he should not be hurt he 
seized the soldiers hands kissed it and wept. When 
asked who he was, he said he was aid to Santa> Anna, 
and desired to be taken to General Houston, which was 
accordingly done. 

When taken to Houston's camp the General was lying 
on a cot under a tree. The captive bowed exceedingly 
low, and said : "I am General Santa Anna, a prisoner 
of war at your disposal. " 

Houston requested that he be seated. 



48 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF 



Santa Anna immediately proposed to negotiate for 
his personal safety. Houston replied that "he did not see 
how anyone that had treated prisoners of war as he had 
those at Goliad could expect to negotiate for clemency" 

Santa Anna then put his hand to his heart and asked 
for stimulants, which were given him. He then said 
"he had orders from the Supreme Government to exe- 
cute all taken with arms in their hands." Houston re- 
plied "that he was a dictator and had no superior ; that 
Ue must immediately order all his military force to 
evacuate Texas ; that he must sign a treaty acknowled- 
ing the independence of Texas, and agree to deal in 
blood no more upon her soil, forever ; the details of the 
treaty to be left to Andrew Jackson, subject to the rati- 
fications of the President of Texas and his cabinet. 
When these requirements were fulfilled he should be 
restored to liberty and sent home." 

Santa Anna immediately wrote and signed an order 
directed to General Filisola, which in substance ordered 
him to retreat with his command to the Rio Grande; that 
the safety of himself and his fellow-prisoners depended 
upon its immediate execution. Houston ordered Deaf 
Smith to proceed with all possible dispatch and deliver 
the same to Filisola. 

In forty-eight hours from the time that the order was 
placed in the hands of the courier, the entire military 
force of the enemy were on the retreat from Texas. 

This wonderful treaty, made in the brief period of 
thirty minutes, and in opposition to four-fifths of the 
men that composed the Texan army, filled the measure 
of the victory at San Jacinto, commencing on the 21st 
and ending on the 22d of April, 1836, to the brim, heaped 
up, and rounded off". It liberated a great empire from 
the control of a tyrannical, ignorant, and unproductive 



THE LIFE OE SAM HOUSTON. 



49 



race, and gave it to freedom, religious liberty, culture, 
commerce and agriculture. 

It was but natural that the friends of the martyrs 
slain at the dictation of Santa Anna should have de- 
manded his execution. 

That the reader may understand the feelings that ani- 
mated the hearts of the opponents to Houston's policy of 
clemency we here insert an extract from a letter written 
by General Lamar, Secretary of War, to the President 
and his cabinet. He said "he rather considered him as 
an appehended murderer than as a prisoner of war. The 
conduct of General Santa Anna will not permit me to 
view him in any other light." * * "His crimes being 
sanguinary, I would read his punishment from the Code 
of Draco." 

President Burnet and his Cabinet arrived at San 
Jacinto from Galveston (whither they had fled from Har- 
risburg on the approach of the Mexicans), on the 3d day 
of May, twelve days after the battle. 

General Houston, after having a consultation with the 
President and Cabinet, gave all the citizen volunteer 
soldiers leave of absence from the army. After thank- 
ing them for their patriotic services, he told them "to go 
home and go to planting corn." 

On the 5th of May he placed General Rusk in com- 
mand of the army, in his absence, and proceeded to New 
Orleans to obtain surgical aid for his wotmd. 

At Velasco, on the 14th day of May, 1836, articles of 
, agreement were entered into between David G. Burnet, 
President of the Republic of Texas, of the one part, and 
his Excellency Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, President 
General-in-Chief of the Mexican army, of the other part. 

The agreement was, in substance, the same as the 
one agreed upon by General Houston and Santa Anna 
on the 22d of April, at San Jacinto. 



50 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF 



The Cabinet was divided, but a majority favored the 
treaty. 

The treaty stipulated that after Santa Anna had per- 
formed his part of the agreement, himself and all the 
Mexican prisoners were to be furnished with transporta- 
tion home, by the government of Texas. 

On the 1st day of June, 1836, in compliance with the 
terms of the treaty, Santa Anna was placed on board 
the Invincible with the intention of sending him to Vera 
Cruz, by order of the President of Texas. 

When the information reached the officers and soldiers 
in the Texan army, that Santa Anna was about to be re- 
leased and sent home, the excitement was intense. To 
add to the excitement, a large number of volunteers had 
recently arrived from the United States. Mass meetings 
were held, inflammatory speeches were made, and resolu- 
tions passed, demanding the disembarkation of Santa 
Anna. 

The President being powerless to enforce obedience 
to his orders, yielded to the popular clamor and the 
prisoner was taken from the vessel and brought on 
shore and placed in charge of Major Patten, to be held 
subject to the disposition of Congress. 

General Houston, when he arrived in New Orleans, 
did his best to discourage emigrants from going to Texas 
with arms in their hands to engage in warfare. He told 
these emigrants that the people of Texas had nothing to 
support soldiers ; what they wanted most were farmers 
to cultivate the land to raise a support for the people. 
Nevertheless, large numbers came. When they arrived 
they had nothing to do and nothing to eat. 

War had exhausted the supply of provisions to such 
an extent that many of the Texans were living on meat, 
without bread or salt. The result was, that the soldiers 
commenced to make forced levies on the farmers for food. 



THE LIFE OF SAM HOUSTON. 



51 



They took oxen from the plough, and milk cows from 
the pen and slaughtered them for meat. / 

When the President remonstrated, the soldiers led by 
General T. J. Green and others held a mass-meeting 
and voted to order the President arrested. Gen. Rusk, 
being unable to control his soldiers, asked the President 
to relieve him from duty and tendered his resignation. 

The President appointed General Lamar to succeed 
General Rusk. 

At this critical period the honest and industrious por- 
tion of the citizens became heartily discouraged and 
alarmed. They had sufficient experience in bloody war- 
fare and they desired peace and order. If they were 
prevented from making a crop, starvation was at their 
door. It was resolved to request General Houston to 
return to Texas as soon as possible. 

When General Lamar assumed command of the army 
it numbered 2,000 men. The greater portion were recent 
volunteers. Most of the Texan resident soldiers had re- 
turned to their various vocations to repair their wrecked 
fortunes. As there was no armed enemy in Texas to 
vanquish the soldiers were without employment ; but 
something must be done. 

General Lamar contended that justice as well as public 
policy demanded the execution of Santa Anna. 

To quote his own words, he said : "I have always 
thought, and still believe, that our sole reliance should 
be upon our swords and not upon the faith of Santa 
Anna. If the armies now on the retreat shall dare a 
countermarch, there will not be in the next battle a 
Mexican left to tell the tale of their defeat; and if 
another expedition against us shall be gotten up in the 
fall or the spring, there will come into our country such 
a cavalcade of heroes as will make their chivalry skip. 
The very first army that turns its face to the east will 



52 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF 



awaken a war which will move onward and onward over 
the "broad prairies of the west, knowing no termination 
until it reaches the walls of Mexico, where we will plant 
the standard of the single Star, and send forth our de- 
crees in the voice of our artillery. I am of opinion that 
our prisoner, General Santa Anna, has forfeited his life 
by the highest of all crimes, and is not a suitable sub- 
ject for the exercise of our pardoning prerogative." 

He accordingly assembled the army, and submitted 
the proposition to the soldiers, whether the President- 
General should be retained as a prisoner of war, or tried 
by a military court and shot. A majority decided that 
he should be tried and executed. A detail of soldiers 
was sent to Columbia, where the distinguished prisoner 
was confined, with orders to bring him before a court- 
martial to be tried. 

It is not surprising that these high-handed and revolu- 
ary measures, on the part of the army, should cause 
many intelligent and permanent citizens to despair of 
Texas, and commence to make preparations to leave the 
country. It was apparent to all intelligent Americans 
that if the soldiers were permitted to trample legitimate 
military authority under foot, and override the civil, all 
was lost. 

A solemn treaty had been made at San Jacinto between 
General Houston and Santa Anna, and was ratified by 
President Burnet and a majority of his Cabinet at 
Velasco. No one could say, in candor, that the authority 
to make the treaty was not the rightful and legitimate 
one. Nevertheless, the soldiers, led by General Lamar 
and General Thomas Jefferson Green, and others, pro- 
posed to use the military power to prevent the stipula- 
tions of the treaty being carried out. They had ordered 
President Burnet under arrest for attempting to perform 
his part of the contract. Now they proposed to set the 



THE LIFE OF SAM HOUSTON. 



53 



lawful Comniander-in Chief of the army at defiance, and 
execute Santa Anna in violation of the solemn treaty 
made between him and the Government of Texas. 

The excitement and alarm were intensified, by the 
well-known fact, that the Mexican army had halted at 
Matamoras, and were threatening a countermarch, in 
the event that the Mexican prisoners were not released 
according to the treaty. These facts and circumstances 
produced profound and gloomy forebodings among the 
honest and industrious people. They loved Texas and 
desired peace and good government. 

Fortunately, at this critical period, July 1st, 1836, 
General Houston returned from New Orleans. 

Xo shipwrecked mariners, imprisoned on board a 
vessel without mast or rudder, at the mercy of the angry 
wave, expecting that the next foaming billow would con- 
sign them to a watery grave, were more rejoiced on seeing 
a friendly bark approaching for their relief, than were 
the people of Texas on beholding the majestic form of 
Houston. In former perils they had learned to appre- 
ciate his wisdom ; they now demanded his services again 
in the restoration of their distracted country to law and 
order. The solid men of Texas requested him to assume 
command of the army and promised him their unyield- 
ing loyalty and support. 

Houston, being informed of the action of the officers 
and soldiers in the army in reference to the disposition 
of Santa Anna, dispatched Captain J. H. Sheppard with 
his written order directed to Captain Patton, at Colum- 
bia, who had the prisoner in charge, commanding him in 
language that " meant business," not to permit the re- 
moval of the prisoner. Captain Sheppard arrived just 
in time to prevent his removal. The august prisoner 
had been informed of the action and intention of the 
Texan soldiers, and when Captain Sheppard exhibited 



54 



BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCH OF 



to him the order of General Houston he wept tears of 
joy and embraced him as one that had saved his life. 

The opponents of General Houston were reluctantly 
compelled to yield obedience to his authority, sustained, 
as he was, by sound public sentiment, and order was re- 
stored. 

The following is a letter written to General Houston 
by President Jackson : "I take the liberty of offering a 
remark or two upon a report which is current here that 
Santa Anna is to be brought before a military court, to 
be tried and shot. Nothing now could tarnish the char- 
acter of Texas more than such an act as this. Sound 
policy as well as humanity approved of the counsels 
which spared him his life. It gave possession of Goliad 
and the Alamo without blood, or the loss of any portion 
of your army. His person is still of much consequence 
to you. He is the pride of Mexican soldiers, and the 
favorite of the priesthood. While he is in your power 
the difficulties of your enemy in raising another army 
will continue to be great. The soldiers of Mexico will 
not willingly march into Texas when they know that 
their advance may cost their favorite General his life. 
Let not his blood be shed, unless imperious necessity 
demands it as a retaliation for future Mexican massacres. 
Both wisdom and humanity enjoin this course in rela- 
tion to Santa Anna." 

General Houston, after thanking the soldiers for their 
patriotic services rendered, granted them leave of ab- 
sence which virtually disbanded the army. Some of the 
volunteers returned to the United States ; others sought 
employment in Texas. 

He then visited Santa Anna at Ora Zimba, and had a 
private conference with him. In a few days thereafter, 
he was sen J; with an escort to Washington, United States. 
President Jackson received him kindly, dined him at 



THE LIFE OF SAM HOUSTON. 



55 



the White House, had several private interviews with 
him and sent him home to Mexico in a government 
vessel. What occurred between President Jackson and 
the distinguished President-General never has been 
made public. 

Order being restored ; the Texan army disbanded ; the 
Mexican prisoners of war sent home ; the country rid of ' 
hostile enemies and the planters blest with propitious 
rains, the desponding and gloomy hearts of the Texans 
were tilled with joy and gladness. 

In accordance with the provisions of the constitution 
that had been framed by the conventions at Washing- 
ton in March, 1836, a President, Vice-President and 
members of Congress were elected. 

Sam Houston was elected President ;M. B. Lamar, Vice- 
President. 

Congress met at Columbia on the 3d of October, 1836. 
A regular organized government was put in operation ? 
democratic in form, and patterned after that of the 
United States at a period when that Government was a 
pure one. The common law of England was adopted to 
govern the administration of justice when not in conflict 
with statutory provision. 

The government of Texas at that time had no money 
in her treasury, nor did the people have any in their 
pockets. The currency in circulation consisted princi- 
pally of yearlings, cows and calves, horses, hogs, and 
corn and potatoes. 

The President, members of Congress, and other offi- 
cials, walked in the light of patrotism; labored for the 
good of mankind, and drew on their private resources 
for a support. 

The planters, being: generous and patriotic, did not 
permit their public servants to want for subsistence. 
Sam Houston placed his eagle eyes squarely and firmly 



56 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF 



on the land robbers, and never raised them till he was 
consigned to political oblivion in 1861. 

The war debt was estimated at $3,000,000, for which 
the public domain was pledged. This debt the patriots 
of Texas considered a sacred and binding one. 

In order to raise a revenue, the Congress levied a 
small import duty and an ad valorem tax, and author- 
ized the President to negotiate a loan of $500,000. An 
unlimited amount of land scrip was also put in his hands 
for sale. 

The President not being able to negotiate the loan or 
sell the land scrip, unless upon terms that he considered 
would work injury to the public credit, and be an un- 
warrantable sacrifice of the public domain, enjoined the 
sale, and returned the bonds and land scrip to the 
treasury. 

During the first year of President Houston's admin- 
istration, only five hundred dollars in coin was paid 
into the public treasury. 

The Indians were kept quiet by his masterly diplo- 
macy. The planters made good crops, and at the end 
of his first term in December, 1838, the people were 
prosperous and happy. 

The population of Texas at this period was estimated 
at fifty thousand. 

One of the first acts of Congress was directed to secur- 
ing the acknowledgment of the independence of Texas 
by the government of the United States, and if possible, 
annexation. The President was authorized to send 
agents to Washington to effect the desired object. On 
the first day of March, 1837, the Congress of the United 
States passed a resolution acknowledging the independ- 
ence of Texas, the signing of which, was one of the last 
official acts of President Jackson. 

On the 4th of March, 1837, Martin Van Buren was in- 



THE LIFE OF SAM HOUSTON. 



57 



augurated President of the United States. President 
Van Buren, when he accepted the nomination to be a 
candidate for the office, pledged himself "to tread in the 
footsteps of his illustrious predecessor," but for want of 
ability and moral courage, "Little Matty" never was 
able to walk in the giant steps of "Old Hickory." 

In April, 1838, President Houston recommended the 
Texas Congress to pass a joint resolution, authorizing 
him to withdraw the proposition of annexation that had 
been made to the government of the United States. A 
resolution was accordingly introduced, but failed to pass. 

President Houston then assumed the responsibility to 
order Anson Jones, the Texas Minister at Washington, 
to absolutely and unconditionally withdraw the proposi- 
tion of annexation. 

The President then commenced "paying court" to 
England and France, for reasons that appear in the 
sequel. 

The second session of the First Congress of Texas, 
was held at Houston, commencing May 1st, 1837. The 
Presidential Mansion consisted of a log cabin, ten by 
twelve feet in dimensions, with a dirt floor, and mud 
chimney. The fire-place extending the full length of one 
side of the mansion. In this humble structure President 
Houston wrote his messages, and received Foreign 
Courtiers. 

The Presidential Mansion at Washington is a grand 
and imposing structure, but it never had an inmate, 
since President Washington, that could preside with the 
lordly dignity and elegant manner as did President 
Houston in his humble Texas log-cabin. 

This Congress, as a revenue measure, passed an act 
authorizing the Secretary of the Treasury to issue an 
unlimited amount of treasury promisory notes, based 
upon the ability of the government to provide for the 



J. 



58 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF 



payment thereof from the sale of the public domain. 
This measure the President opposed, because the notes 
were not made legal tender for all dues, public and 
private, and the issue limited. 

On the 10th of December, 1836, Mirabeau B. Lamar 
was inaugurated President. 

President Lamar's administrative policy was the re- 
verse of his predecessor. 

In dealing with the Indians and the Mexican Govern- 
ment, he threw the sword into the scales. 

In his first message he said that "the sword should 
mark the boundaries of the Republic." A war of exter- 
mination against the Indians was inaugurated. Many 
of these Indians occupied reservations of land in accord- 
ance with a treaty made with Houston in 1833, and were 
driven therefrom, attended with great slaughter, and ex- 
pense to the government. 

The result was that the entire Indian population be- 
came hostile to the white settlements. During the three 
years of President Lamar's administration the frontier 
pioneers were constantly fleeing from the cruel toma- 
hawk of the Savage. 

President Lamar was a brave and brilliant man, a 
finished scholar and orator. To say he was not a pa- 
triot would be doing great injustice to his memory. 
But considered in the light of a Texan statesman, he 
was a failure. At the close of his administration in De- 
cember, 1841, the public debt had increased from $3,000,- 
000 to $8,000,000. This was a ruinous indebtedness 
when we consider that the population of Texas was only 
55,000. The people were in a state of excitement and 
discontent, caused by the extravagant financial and war 
like measures of the administration. Even the personal 
and political friends of President Lamar admitted that 
many of his acts were unwise and injurious to the public 



THE LIFE OF SAM HOUSTON. 



59 



welfare, and desired a return to the Houstonian policy 
as soon as possible. 

At the election, in 1841, Houston was re-elected Presi- 
dent. 

In his first message he informed Congress in sub- 
stance — that the Republic was millions of dollars in 
debt, no money in her treasury and without credit. He 
attributed the cause to the worse than useless expendi- 
ture in fitting out military expeditions against the In- 
dians and Mexico, and the purchase of a useless navy. 
He recommended that the navy be sold and peaceful re- 
lations restored with the people of Mexico and the In- 
dians by the appointment of diplomatic agents. 

He recommended that laws be enacted diminishing the 
number of Government officers, their salaries and all 
other expenses. 

As a financial measure, he advised that the issue of 
the red back treasury notes, which had become worthless, 
be suspended, and instead, treasury notes be issued re- 
ceivable for all public dues, and the issue not to exceed 
the amount of the public revenue. These promissory 
notes were called exchequer currency and were at par 
with coin. 

At the end of President Houston's term December, 
1844, there was a "cash balance" in the treasury after 
paying all expenses of administration. 

During President Lamar's term there was appropriated 
for Indian expenses $2,542,312. 

During President Houston's term for the same pur- 
pose there was appropriated only $104,092. 

President Houston met the Chief of the Comanche In- 
dians at the Cross Timbers, in the Territory, now em- 
braced in Tarrant county, and negotiated a treaty of 
peace. The head Chief of the tribe surrendered to him 
his son to be retained as a hostage, that the stipulations 



60 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF 



of the treaty should be observed on the part of the In- 
dians. 

This treaty was more effectual in preserving peaceful 
relations between the Indians and the Texans than 
millions of treasure expended and many precious lives 
sacrificed in military warfare. The most important 
measure of his administration was the defeat of a gigan- 
tic attempt to rob Texas of a large portion of her public 
lands by means of fraudulent land certificates. 

Through the friendly mediation of England and 
France, at the solicitation of Houston, Santa Anna, who 
was then President of Mexico, agreed to an armistice 
which was acceptable to the President. 

That put an end to Mexican incursions into Texas, 
and the consequent excitement of organizing military 
expeditions for their expulsion. At the end of the 
President's term of office peace and quiet existed be- 
tween the people of Texas, the Indians and Mexicans. 

In December, 1844, Anson Jones was inaugurated 
President. He was Secretary of State during President 
Houston's term of office. He entertained views in unison 
with his predecessor in all important measures. Not- 
withstanding Texas was virtually a free Republic, the 
Mexican Government refused to acknowledge it. To keep 
alive her claim was constantly threatening Texas with 
armed invasions. 

Houston and those that were his adherents did not 
entertain the opinion that Texas was able to invade 
Mexico, and conquer a peace with force of arms. An- 
nexation, therefore, to the United States was the impor- 
tant measure that commanded the attention of President 
Jones and his advisers. 

The Texas minister at Washington was instructed to 
renew the proposition of annexation. In April, 1844, 
Mr. Calhoun introduced in the Senate of the United 



THE LIFE OE SAM HOUSTON. 



61 



States a resolution to admit Texas into the Union. As 
ex-President Van Bur en who desired to be the demo- 
cratic nominee for President, and Henry Clay who was 
seeking the Whig nomination, were opposed to annexa- 
tion, politicians were very tender footed and the reso- 
lution was rejected by a large majority. By the advice 
of Houston the President instructed the Texan minister 
to withdraw the proposition. 

Diplomatic agents were sent to England and France 
with instructions to propose reciprocity treaties that 
would not only be injurious to the interest of the United 
States but would give England or France a controlling 
power over Texas. This measure was effectual in caus- 
ing the democratic party in the United States to espouse 
the cause of annexation. 

At the democratic convention in 1844, the friends of 
annexation secured the adoption of the two thirds rule 
for the first time, to defeat ex-President Van Buren. 
Mr. Tan Buren had a majority of the votes but failed to 
secure two-thirds. After many ballots his name was 
withdrawn, and James K. Polk was unanimously nomi- 
nated. 

A resolution was adopted by the convention in favor 
of annexation. 

Mr. Clay was the Whig candidate. The "Whig conven- 
tion resolved against annexation. The issue was pre- 
sented to the people for trial. The verdict of the people 
was annexation of Texas, and James K. Polk for 
President. 

On the 1st of March, 1845, a joint resolution passed 
both houses of Congress admitting Texas into the 
American Union, provided that Texas consented thereto- 

On the 4th of July, 1845, delegates elected by the peo- 
ple of Texas met at Austin and passed a resolution as- 
senting to annexation and formed a constitution. The 



62 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF 



annexation resolution and the new constitution were 
submitted to a vote of the people on the 18th day of Octo- 
ber, 1845. The measure received almost an unanimous 
vote. On the 29th of December, 1845, President Polk 
signed the bill extending the laws of the United States 
over Texas. 

Ex President Houston's pretended opposition to an- 
nexation had a damaging effect upon his popularity. 
Many of his warm friends became his personal and poli- 
tical enemies. 

It was a peculiar trait in his character never to dis- 
close a secret that he deemed important to keep — not 
even to his warmest friends or nearest relatives. He 
acted upon the theory that one person could keep a 
secret better than two. President Jones and his foreign 
Ministers believed that the ex-President was sincere in 
his opposition to annexation. 

The all powerful press was violent in the extreme. 
Editorials were written and published denouncing his 
policy, clothed in language of extraordinary vindictive- 
ness. Large drafts were drawn upon the slavery excite- 
ment to inflame the minds of people. His enemies were 
confident that his personal and political popularity had 
sunk to rise no more. During the canvass in the sum- 
mer of 1845 for the election of delegates to assemble in 
convention to reject or accept the proposition of annexa- 
tion, he reiused to be a candidate, neither did he oppose 
or advocate the measure. 

Some of his personal friends in the city of Houston 
were in doubt as to his real position, and they invited 
him to address them on the subject. He consented. As 
the speech is historical and has nev er been published it 
is here inserted. 



THE LIFE OF SAM HOUSTON. 



63 



Sam Houston's Speech.* 

"We have assembled to-day to take a reckoning of the 
present, review the past, and consult and exchange views 
as to what is best for the future. The greater portion of 
this audience know that since 1832, the period that I be- 
came a citizen of Texas, that I have assumed the re- 
sponsibility of many important official positions, con- 
ferred by a generous and confiding people. How I have 
discharged the various important and responsible trusts 
thus conferred, it is the duty as well as the right of the 
people to judge. 

"That my official policy and actions, military and 
civil, from and during the period that has passed be- 
tween 1835 to the present, as commander-in-chief of 
your army, and as President, should have met with a 
just and fair opposition, is but natural. Men were born 
to differ as to the policy that should be pursued to ac- 
complish an important object; especially is this the case 
when the object to be attained is of a public nature. 
But when that opposition consists of misrepresentations, 
abuse and slander, of a violent and personal character, 
it must be ascribed to motives not patriotic. At the 
very commencement of my military career I became as- 
sociated with men of extraordinary patriotism, bravery 
and intelligence. I refer to Colonels Fannin, Milam, 
Travis, Johnson, Bowie and others; some of whom 
I have considered it my duty to differ as to impor- 
tant public measures. If I should say anything that 
might be considered as disparaging in the least to the 
reputation and memory of these gallant men, I beg of 

*This speech was written down as it fell from the lips of the speaker by a 
Mr. Weeks, who was the first short-hand reporter in Texas. The news- 
papers all being opposed to Houston at that period refused to publish it. 
The writer obtained a copy from the reporter, believing that it was an im- 
portant item to be used in the vindication of the truth of history. 



64 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF 



the audience to believe me, when I say, I do it only as a 
means of attempting a vindication of my own character 
and reputation, against the cruel and unrelenting mis- 
representations and slanders published to the world dur- 
ing the last ten years by a violent and unscrupulous 
press. 

"It has been alleged, with great vindictiveness and 
vehemence, that I am responsible for the massacre of 
Travis and his men at the Alamo, and Fannin and his men 
at Goliad. That I, as commander in- chief of the army, 
actuated by feelings of personal revenge, refused to re- 
inforce Fannin and Travis, when I had the power so to 
do — accusations as cruel and malicious as they are false. 
I never had aught but tears to shed ove$ the sad and 
tragic fate of those brave men and their companions. I 
am proud of the brilliant and enduring page of history 
that they, with their blood, have writ. 

"When the consultation convention appointed me Com- 
mander-in-Chief of the army I felt it to be my duty to 
accept the great and responsible position. It is a well- 
known fact, to most of you, that I did not take command 
of the soldiers in field movements in person during the ex- 
istence of the Government organized by the consultation 
convention. I was desirous not to do any act calculated 
to wound the pride and aspirations of those gallant men 
who had displayed such heroic bravery in previous vic- 
torious and successful contests. It is with painful emo 
tion that I am compelled to allude to a subject that pub- 
lic policy has heretofore deterred me from mentioning. 

" Soon after I was appointed to the command of your 
military forces Colonel F. W. Johnson presented for my 
inspection a resolution passed by the Council empower- 
ing himself and Colonel J. W. Fannin to raise and con- 
trol, in the capacity of agents for the Government, an 
army to attack and capture Matamoras, and empower 



THE LIFE OF SAM HOUSTON. 



65 



ing a certain Dr. Grant to act as commander-in-chief. 
At the first sight of the order I saw that it was an at- 
tempt to supersede me in the command of the army, and 
that the motive that inspired the campaign was spoils 
for private gain. 

" The insult and mortification intended for me I 
pocketed for the *good of my country. But I opposed 
the intended campaign with all my power, because I be- 
lieved that an attempt to capture so large a city by so 
few men would result in a military disaster and the dis- 
traction of the participants. 

" I very soon discovered that I was a General without 
an army serving > under and by authority of a pretended 
government, that had no head, and no loyal subjects to 
obey its commands. I saw then that the blood of more 
martyrs had to crimson the sacred soil of Texas before 
the people would consent to organize themselves into a 
government having one head and yielding to that head 
implicit obedience. 

"I therefore considered myself virtually superseded 
in the command of the army by an illegal act of the 
Council, at the solicitation of my inferior officers. I had, 
at that early period, reliable information that Santa 
Anna was raising a large and enthusiastic army for the 
avowed purpose to invade Texas, avenge and wipe out 
the humiliation and disgrace cast upon Mexico by the 
defeat and expulsion of her military forces from Texas. 
T thought at that time that the war would be a long and 
bloody one. I therefore deemed it prudent and wise for 
the army to be well organized and retreat to some ad- 
vantageous point. To that policy I had no support. I 
ordered Colonel Travis to blow up the fortress at San 
Antonio and retreat, and, as I considered my usefulness 
in the army was at an end for the then present, I asked 
for and obtained a parole, and directed my attention 



66 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF 



and what influence I possessed to the securement of a 
convention of the people for the purpose of adopting a 
declaration of independence and organizing a permanent 
government. You are all familiar with the action of 
that convention. The delegates thought proper to re- 
elect me Commander-in-Chief of the army. 

"Santa Anna's advance with from eight to ten thou- 
sand soldiers was so rapid that tne intended Matamoras 
expedition was abandoned. It has been asserted, as I 
have before stated, that I am responsible for the massa- 
cre of Fannin and his command. I have even been 
called a cowardly murderer by the leading newspapers 
of the country, and repeated time and time again for 
years. I beg the attention of this audience while I cite 
you to facts and circumstances that prove this foul and 
cruel slander to be a premeditated falsehood. On the 
2d day of March, 1836, 1 took my seat in the convention. 
I was absent from the army on parole for reasons that I 
have before stated. I did not have a soldier under my 
control. All the organized military force was under the 
command of Colonels Travis, Fannin and Johnson, con- 
sisting of about 750 men. There were some unorganized 
military gatherings in different portions of the country 
that were not in the regular service. On the 3d day of 
March Colonel Travis sent a dispatch to the President 
of the convention stating that he and his command were 
entrenched within the fortress of the Alamo and beseiged 
by a large force commanded by Santa Anna, and re- 
questing the convention to send reinforcements to re 
lieve him from his perilous situation. He did not direct 
his dispatch to the General of the army because he did 
not consider that there was any such officer that ranked 
him. He also sent dispatches to Colonel Fannin implor- 
ing aid, because he was well aware that Colonel Fannin 
was the only officer in command of troops. 



i 



THE LIFE OF SAM HOUSTON. 



67 



u On the 4th of March, one day after my re-appointment, 
and two days previous to the fall of the Alamo, at the 
request of members of the convention, I proceeded with 
all possible haste to Gonzales to collect all the armed 
force that could be found with the intention of marching 
to San Antonio and reinforce Colonel Travis. I arrived 
on the 6 th and gathered some three hundred and fifty 
men fit for service, many of them without arms or 
ammunition. In the course of two days I received the 
lamentable information that Colonel Travis and his 
noble compatriots had succumbed to overwhelming 
numbers and had been brutally slaughtered. I imme- 
diately sent a courier to Colonel Fannin ordering him to 
destroy all his artillery he could not remove and retreat 
to Victoria, and informing him of the fall of the Alamo. 
Deaf Smith having returned from a scout reported the 
enemy advancing. I then determined to retreat and get 
as near to Andrew Jackson and the old flag as I could. 
[Long and vociferous cheering]. Had Colonel Fannin 
obeyed my order promptly his forces and those under 
my command would have joined several days before his 
capture and inhuman massacre. 

" These facts, so painful to me to detail to you, I defy 
any high-minded person to come before me and an in- 
telligent audience and deny. 

" Travis, Fannin, Crockett and Bowie, were all brave 
and gallant spirits ; they never, while living, employed 
falsehood and slander to carry a point or injure a char- 
acter ; their acts were open and bold ; their policy of 
warfare was to divide, advance and conquer. My policy 
was to concentrate, retreat and conquer, and at this very\ 
moment could the veil be drawn that divides earth from ) 
heaven I cannot but imagine that these brave and 
manly heroes, bending from their exalted position, would 



68 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF 



look down upon my insignificant and wicked slanderers 
with withering scorn and contempt. 

"A vast amount of abuse is indulged in and errors 
alleged against me for ordering the retreat of the army 
from the Colorado, by persons inspired by passions of 
malice and hate only; yet in order to deceive the people, 
they assume the role of public benefactors. Cowardice 
and want of military capacity is the basis of the ven- 
omous criticism. 

"It is gravely asserted by my enemies, that if the policy 
of certain military chieftains had prevailed the Texan s 
would have crossed the river, annihilated the enemy and 
saved the people of the west from the ravages of war. 
If we are disposed to speculate in ifs, we may as well 
discuss the other hypothetical if. If the Texan army 
had countermarched, crossed the river and attacked the 
enemy, and been defeated, what then ? Let the wails of 
the fallen at the Alamo and Goliad answer. Such spec- 
ulations, seriously indulged in, are as unprofitable and 
vain as they are vicious. It is virtually an attempt to 
reverse the decrees of Divine Providence. The past is, 
at least, secure and unalterable. 

"The only legitimate question that admits of serious 
discussion is, whether or not the retreat was in accord- 
ance with wise and prudent military strategy. 

"When I reached the Colorado, on my retreat from 
Gonzales, I expected to have been reinforced with Colo - 
nel Fannin's command, and intended at that point to 
have resisted the advance of the enemy; but my plans 
were thwarted by the failure of Colonel Fannin to reach 
me. You are all familiar with the cause. I had reliable 
information from my scouts that Santa Anna was ad- 
vancing with his army in detached columns. His force 
was estimated at seven thousand five hundred men well 
supplied with means of transportation. 



o 



THE LIFE OF SAM HOUSTON. 



69 



"The nature of the country west of the Colorado was 
such that he was able to mass his forces with rapidity. 

"The force that I had to meet the enemy consisted of 
six hundred and fifty men without artillery or means of 
transportation. 

"I admit that many of my officers and privates did 
desire to cross the river at Beason's and attack the 
enemy, but no two could agree exactly how it should be 
done. After learning the views and plans of my officers 
and privates, I concluded to retreat in the direction of 
my reinforcements and supplies, with a hope of enticing 
the enemy to advance in detached column; and when he 
was in a position, surrounded with difficult water- 
courses to cross — at a proper time strike him an 
effectual and decisive blow. When I look back upon 
the battle of San Jacinto and its sequence, I consider it al- 
most a miracle, and I am disposed to render due praise 
to God, the valor and bravery of the victorous Texans, 
and let it remain a fixed and unalterable fact forever. 
[Applause, long and continued.] 

I am charged with the heinous offense of preserving 
the life of Santa Anna, when, as my enemies claim, 
justice and public policy demanded his execution. I 
should be inclined to forgive my assailants for some 
of their past sins, had they not ascribed to my act an 
unworthy motive. They allege that the motive that 
prompted the act was prejudice and ill will to Fannin 
and Travis when living. Nevertheless, I am thankful 
they give me credit for the deed. 

"If ever there was a period in my life when every pulsa- 
tion of my heart beat true time to calm and serious obe- 
dience to duty, in promoting the interests of my country 
and the welfare of future generations, it was at the mo- 
ment that I conceived the idea that led to the treaty 
with Santa Anna on the field of San Jacinto. 



70 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF 



"It was on the night of the 21st and the early morn 
of the 22d when I was confined to my cot in camp suf- 
fering from my wound. My mind was directed to the 
subject of how to secure the greatest good to Texas from 
the victory. Santa Anna and his command were over 
powered and vanquished, it was true, but a large mili- 
tary force of the enemy, consisting of 5,000 troops, were 
advancing in battle array, within forty -eight hours 
march of my camp. Nor was Texas a free Republic. 

" I was not unmindful of the cause of the failure of 
the Eepublicans in 1812, led by the brave Magee, Kem- 
per and Perry. Their victories on the field of conflic t 
were as complete and decisive as was the one at San 
Jacinto in 1836 ; but the lack of diplomatic skill and the 
inhuman slaughter of the Mexican prisoners ruined their 
cause. 

"My motive in sparing the life of Santa Anna was to 
relieve the country of all hostile enemies without fur- 
ther bloodshed, and secure his acknowledgment of our 
independence, which I considered of vastly more impor- 
tance to the welfare of Texas than the mere gratifica- 
tion of revenge. 

" The clemency extended to Santa Anna and other 
prisoners was of great moral power in securing our 
recognition by powerful christian nations. It is un- 
profitable to indulge in speculation as to what might 
have been the consequences had Santa Anna and other 
Mexican prisoners been summarily executed and the 
Texan army left to expel the foe from the country in 
bloody warfare. There would have been at least many 
valuable lives sacrificed. But of one thing we are cer- 
tain, that the treatment of the Mexican prisoners has re • 
ceived the approbation of civilized people and nations 
throughout the civilized world, and I rejoice that it is 



THE LIFE OF SAM HOUSTON. 



71 



not within the province of human power to reverse the 
act. [Prolonged cheering]. 

" It pains me, fellow-citizens, to weary your patience 
in listening to matters personal to myself, but I feel it 
to be my duty to notice one other unfriendly stricture 
upon my public acts. It is alleged, as many of you well 
know, that I was unfaithful to the interests of Texas and 
Southern institutions when I directed our minister at 
Washington to withdraw the proposition of annexation 
to the Federal Union and courted the assistance and 
good will of England and France. I have even been 
called an abolitionist by some of our scribling news- 
paper editors. 

"Will my fellow citizens pardon me for lowering my- 
self sufficiently to notice these creatures. ['Yes, yes, go 
on,' from the audience.] This fellow Richardson, editor 
of the News; I don't know him, and should not if I 
should happen to meet him on the street. He hails, I 
am informed, from South Carolina and professes to be 
the champion of extreme Southern rights. But I am in- 
formed, also, (and I believe it to be true) that he is late 
from the classic land of wooden nutmegs, warming pans, 
blue laws, witchcraft and the hot bed of abolitionism. 
He won't steal ! He is too mean ! That is fortunate ; for 
the inmates of the penitentiary are nut likely to be dis- 
graced and corrupted by being his associate. [Laughter 
and applause]. 

"The lying scribbler of the Telegrapli" [Dr. Moore,] 
"is a one armed man. You never would forgive me for 
abusing a cripple, but I must confess that one arm can 
write more malicious falsehoods than any man with two 
arms I ever saw. His arm is more prolific for evil than 
the traditional bag that had seven cats and every cat had 
seven kits. The idea that such men should accuse me 
of being disloyal to the interests of the South ; how 



72 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF 



absurd ! how illogical ! I, who saw first the light of 
day in Old Virginia, educated in Tennessee at the feet 
of Andrew Jackson, and was taught in my infancy to 
love the South and all her institutions, social, religious 
and political. The love of the South is part of my very 
being. It grew in me with my growth from childhood to 
manhood. 

"These men, however, in retailing their slanders, are 
compelled to tell some truths. I did direct our minister 
at Washington to withdraw the application of Texas 
for annexation and commenced paying court to England 
and France, for reasons that public policy has hereto- 
fore forbid an explanation. 

u Nations, as well as individuals, are governed and in- 
fluenced, to a great extent, by feelings of jealousy and 
self-interest. The proposition that was made at the 
early period of our existence as an independent nation, 
to become one of the Confederate States of the American 
Union, did not receive a respectful consideration by the 
executive or legislative branch of the government of the 
United States after President Jackson's term of office ex- 
pired, till the late inauguration of President Polk. In 
some of the Southern States, even where I expected the 
desired measure would receive a unanimous and warm 
support, to my great surprise, it met with a decided and 
insulting rebuff. Governor McDuffie, of South Caro- 
lina, sent a message to the Legislature of that State dis- 
approving annexation, clothed in insulting language to 
Texans. Self-respect, as well as interest, demanded the 
withdrawal of all diplomatic relations with the United 
States in relation to annexation. I admit that I have 
recommended that treaties of reciprocity be made with 
England squinting even to the future extinction of 
slavery in Texas. When at the same time my only ob- 
ject was to turn public opinion in the United States in 



THE LIFE OF SAM HOUSTON. 



73 



favor of annexation. I can justify myself by the sugges- 
tion of a very natural supposition. 

"Suppose a charming lady has two suitors. One of them 
she is inclined to believe would make the better hus- 
band, but is a little slow to make interesting proposi- 
tions. Don't you think if she was a skillful practitioner 
in Cupid's court she would pretend that she loved the 
other 'feller' the best and be sure that her favorite 
would know it ? [Laughter and applause]. 

"If ladies are justified in making use of coquetry in 
securing their annexation to good and agreeable hus- 
bands, you mast excuse me for making use of the same 
means to annex Texas to Uncle Sam. [Laughter and 
cheers]. 

"I can truly rejoice with you, my fellow-citizens, that 
we have arrived at a period when we are permitted to 
turn from the anxious and checkered past, and behold 
the bright and cheering future. That our annexation 
to the mother countrv is assured, there is and can be no 
possible doubt. I consider the benefit to be derived 
from the measure great beyond the power of language 
to describe. We have an extensive public domain 
awaiting the magic touch of the planter to call forth its 
inexhaustible treasures, and when we are able to say to 
the civilized world that we have secured a permanent 
and stable government beyond all possibility of failure, 
numberless emigrants with large possessions of servants 
and money will flock to our shores. 

"Large planters and men of capital have not hereto- 
fore had sufficient confidence in the stability of our gov- 
ernment to risk large investments in Texas. Annexa- 
tion removes the difficulty. 

"As an inducement to persons to cast their fortunes in 
Texas, institutions of learning should be established, 
especially a wise and liberal system of free public 



74 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF 



schools. After providing for the payment of our public 
debt, our public lands should, to a great extent, be set 
apart to create and support free public institutions of 
learning. The only obstruction in the way of this de- 
sired measure is our public debt, which amounts to 
from ten to twelve millions. This debt is a virtual lien 
upon our public domain; a part of which was contracted 
to maintain our armies in the field during our revolu- 
tionary war, and must be paid if it requires every foot 
of our public domain to doit. Texas never can assume 
a proud and lofty position as one of the United States 
and repudiate this sacred debt of honor. To pay this 
debt is a small sacrifice compared to the contributions 
of some of the fallen in the great struggle for our free- 
dom. In looking back over the past we discover many 
noble patriots that labored in the cause with mighty 
arms, and when it became necessary, sealed it with their 
precious blood in death. 

"And now, in conclusion, my fellow-citizens, as we are 
on the eve of taking a new departure, let us pledge our- 
selves, one and all, that we will defend freedom on the 
sacred soil of Texas forever and ever." 

No speech ever delivered was more effectual in revers- 
ing the feelings and sentiments of a people. Hundreds 
that came to the meeting, entertaining intense prejudice 
and hatred against the speaker, were disarmed of all 
political opposition — every emotion of hatred and ill will 
banished from their breasts. 

The following is a letter written by Deaf Smith to his 
brother Stephen Smith, who resided in Mississippi at 
the date of the letter, but subsequently moved to Beau- 
mont, Jefferson county, Texas, in 1842, and lived a 



THE LIFE OF SAM HOUSTON. 



75 



near neighbor to the author during fifteen years ; from 
him the important diary of the famous Texan Spy was 
obtained : 

Fort Bend, December 20th, 1838. 

My Dear Brother — You do not know how glad I am to hear from 
you. The reason I have not answered your letter before is, because I have 
been absent on duty as a Ranger. I am rejoiced to know that you are 
well and think of moving to this glorious Republic. I am not enjoying 
the best of health at present, caused by great exposure in the army. You 
wish me to give you some information about the war ; and why it is I am 
called Deaf Smith. I am a poor hand to write but my friend Jones, who 
is a good writer, has kindly consented to act as my amanuensis. 

The reason they call me Deaf Smith is, because when I was among the 
Mexican soldiers or the Texans, I could hear well enough anything that 
my Old Chief desired to know, but could not hear well when I was asked 
about his plans and movements. My wife being a Mexican lady, and my 
constant association with her people, enabled me to speak, dress and act 
like them. Notwithstanding my education is limited, you know I was 
never accused of being a fool or a coward. I became acquainted with 
Sam Houston about the time that he was appointed by the consultation 
convention at San Felipe de Austin, in 1835, General-in-Chief of the Re- 
publican army ./He was a General that always slept with one eye wide 
open."* He sent for me one day and told me that he was apprehensive that 
Santa Anna would raise a large army and renew the fight, as the Mexicans 
did in 1813. He said that he wanted a confidential Spy to go to the Rio 
Grande and find out about the movements of the enemy, and he had se- 
lected me for his man. 

The appointment exactly suited me, and I immediately left for Mexico. 
I penetrated the Mexican lines, and deceived them by telling them that I 
was tired of war and as my wife was a native Mexican I was afraid to live 
in Texas. I returned to Texas and reported to General Houston in Janu- 
ary, 1836, that Santa Anna was raising a large army of not lesss than 10,- 
000 men, and was coming to Texas, (as he said) " to kill or drive the last 
d — m American rebel land thief and murderer out of the country." 

About the^ioth or 15th of January, 1836, I was ordered by my old Chief 
to proceed to San Antonio and deliver an order to Colonel Travis to de- 
stroy the Alamo fort and retreat east. 

When I delivered the order to Colonel Travis he read it and consulted 
with some of his men a short time and told me to tell Old Houston "that 
he never retreated." 

Now, Brother Stephen, I will tell you about the condition of our army 
at that time. Davy Crockett, Colonel Travis, Colonel Fannin, Colonel 



76 



\ 

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF 



Bowie, Colonel Johnson and others, were brave and good men; they had 
fought like tigers in driving the Mexican tyrants out of Texas in 1S35. 
When the consultation convention appointed Old Sam General of the 
army thev were disappointed, and suffered feelings of jealousy to rankle 
in their breasts against their lawful Commander-in-Chief, resulting in the 
formation of a plan to supersede him in the command of the army. 

In January, 1836, one Dr. Grant, Colonels Fannin and Johnson, se- 
cretly induced the Council (appointed by the convention to organize and 
support an army) to issue an order which authorized Colonels Fannin and 
Johnson to organize an army to capture Matamoras. Dr. Grant was ap- 
pointed Commander-in-Chief. It was thought that this move would 
wound the pride of General Houston and cause him to resign. But it 
failed in its intended effect. Old Sam said tome, "Captain Smith, these men 
think their actions will cause me to abandon the cause of Texan indepen- 
dence, but they are mistaken. I love Texas too well. I love the soldiers 
too much to permit them to be led into a slaughter pen by these misguided 
men. If my orders are not obeyed I will obtain a furlough. I will not 
be responsible for the consequences that will be the result of the mad scheme " 

The Old Chief, not being able to command obedience to his orders, re- 
ported to Governor Smith and obtained leave of absence from the arnvv. 

It was painful to me to see such good and brave men quarrel about who 
should command the arnry. Travis, Fannin and Johnson were daring 
soldiers, but they knew no more about how to command an army than 
does a hog know how to get to heaven. They were not put up for the job. 

The convention that demanded our independence re appointed Houston 
our Commander-in-chief. He was to be a General just like Gen. Jackson 
in the United States army. 

On the 6th of March, 1836, the General ordered me to go with him to 
Gonzales to get all the soldiers we could to go to the relief of Fannin and 
his men at San Antonio, who were surrounded by the Mexicans. 

Santa Anna, in command of a large army, arrived at San Antonio and 
attacked Colonel Travis and his command while they were preparing to 
march to Matamoras. All the soldiers that the Old Chief could muster 
were about 350 men, poorly supplied with arms or ammunition. All the 
good soldiers, well equipped for service, were with Colonel Travis at San 
Antonio and Colonel Fannin at Goliad — about 800 men. In two or three 
days after we arrived at Gonzales, two strangers came to our camp and re- 
ported that Travis and his men had been captured by the Mexicans and all 
killed. Such weeping and wailing as there was among the relatives of the 
slain I never wish to witness again.' It was sufficient to break the 
stoutest heart. Men, women and children rushed to the headquarters 
of General Houston to be informed what they should do. The Old 
Chieftain told them that the first thing they must do was to obey his 



THE LIFE OF SAM HOUSTON. 



77 



orders ; that no army could have but one commander, and he must be 
obeyed. Had his orders been obeyed Travis and his brave men would 
have been alive that day. 

On the 12th of March, I was ordered by the General, in command of 
two men to proceed to San Antonio, with all possible haste, and as- 
certain if the report of the fall of the Alamo was true. About twenty 
miles on our way we met Mr. Dickinson, wife of Lieutenant Dickenson 
who was killed. Mrs. Dickenson confirmed the sad tidings reported the 
day previous. I escorted her to the headquarters of the General, and re- 
ported to him that the Mexican army were advancing in the direction of 
Gonzales. The General immediately sent a courier with an order to Col- 
onel Fannin to retreat to Victoria. On the 13th our General advised the 
inhabitants to move in the direction of the Sabine, and followed himself with 
his small army in the same direction. In the meantime I was ordered to 
scour the country and report to him all movements of the enemy. On the 
6th of April I reported to the General in camp on the Brazos that the ad- 
vance of the Mexican army were on the the 2d of April at Gonzales, mak- 
ig rapid marches. On the 12th I reported to the General that many of the 
officers and men in the army were abusing him for retreating from the 
Colorado, and threatened to disobey orders if there is any more retreating. 
On the iSth of April I captured two Mexicans and took them to my Old 
Chief's camp at Harrisburg. Upon their persons were found dispatches 
from Santa Anna that enabled our General to find out all about the plans 
and movements of the Mexican General. 

On the morning of the 21st of April, the day of the battle, General 
Houston sent for me to come to his camp. He told me he was determined 
to attack the enemy that day. He ordered me to go among the officers and 
privates and report to him the disposition of the men for a fight. I re- 
ported to him that the privates and all the low grade of officers were anx- 
ious to attack the enemy ; that many of the officers of high rank were de- 
vising some plan to supersede him in command before the battle, but could 
not agree upon their man. 

The Old Chief then ordered me to destroy Vince's bridge over Sim's 
bayou and report to him in double quick time. I reported to him at 4 
o'clock that the bridge was destroyed. He then ordered me to inform the 
officers to form their commands in line of battle and prepare to charge 
the enemy. Vince's bridge was destroyed. "It was death or victory." 
The General after kneeling beside a tree and praying to God to give us the 
victoiy, said to me (he was about to order an attack and lead it in person ; 
he had been accused of being a coward ; the time had arrived to test the 
true courage of all) : "Take care of yourself, Captain, and do your duty." 
He then rode in front of the centre column, pointing to the breastworks of 
the enemy, gave the command, "Charge, men, charge ! Remember the 



78 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF 



Alamo! Remember Goliad!" At the flash of the Mexican cannon all 
the Texans (except General Houston and a few other mounted officers) 
fell to the ground. In ten minutes thereafter the Mexicans were routed 
and fleeing from the field of battle. When the Old Chief was wounded he 
was advancing upon the works of the enemy, leading the charge. 

The Mexicans were completely surprised. Santa Anna and most of 
his officers were asleep, a fact well known to Houston when he concluded 
to commence the fight. 

When it was reported to General Houston that the Texans were shoot- 
ing the Mexicans when pleading for quarters, he sent for me and said : 
"I desire you to inform all officers and men, that it is the order of the 
Commander-in-Chief of the army, that none of the enemy be shot 
who desire to surrender. If Texans desire the approbation of 
mankind they must be generous in the hour of victory. Uncivilized 
tyrants only slaughter their captives." I immediately delivered the verbal 
order to all I could find. The first officer I met was Captain Allen who 
obeyed it and directly took about one hundred prisoners, including General 
Almonte and several other Mexican officers. The Texans thought that 
the cruel acts of Santa Anna justified them in refusing to permit the Mexi- 
cans to surrender. 

The Old Chief thought differently, and every day I live I see more clearly 
that he was right. 

I must confess that my heart sickened at seeing the ignorant Mexicans 
shot holding up their hands and crying, " me no Alamo ! me no Alamo !" 

Nine-tenths of the officers and men were determined that Santa Anna, 
at any risk, should receive no quarter. But the General desired to get 
possession of his person alive. A lucky circumstance permitted Houston 
to have his way. 

The next day after the battle Captain Sylvester in command of a squad 
of men saw some one lying down in some high grass. The then unknown 
person was commanded to rise, but refused. When one of the soldiers 
was in the act of shooting him he arose and gave the soldier the masonic 
sign, which caused the soldier to withhold his fire. The unknown person 
proved to be Santa Anna. 

Old Sam says that it was Divine Providence that saved his life. I think 
that it was the Masonic grip. The prisoner was taken to the General's 
camp, where he introduced himself as General Santa Anna, and prayed for 
mercy. 

Houston made him think at first that he was going to do something 
terrible. After about thirty minutes conversation the Old Chief said to 
him, "That he must write an order commanding all his soldiers to retreat 
to Mexico, acknowledge the independence of Texas, and agree to fight 
Texans no more, and his life should be spared." 



THE LIFE OF SAM HOUSTON. 



79 



Santa Anna immediately wrote the order. I was ordered by the Gen- 
eral to deliver it to General Filisola, on the Brazos, in quick time. 

The clamor for the blood of Santa Anna was so intense that the General 
ordered his tent to be placed near his camp and guarded by trusty sentinels. 
After a few days many sensible and humane persons saw that the Old Chief 
was right. 

I solemnly believe that no other man could have saved the people of 
Texas from destruction at that time. The Texans were wild with excite- 
ment over the victory, and were unwilling to obey orders. Gen. Filisola 
had 5,000 Mexican soldiers on the Brazos, and had he marched into our 
camp in the condition of our army, Houston feared would result in disaster 
to our cause. It was only his great and wonderful Generalship that pre- 
vented it. 

It would take me a long time to tell you of all the narrow escapes from 
capture and death I met with in the service acting as a Spy. I just natur- 
ally loved the excitement. 

I hope soon to see you in Texas. Come to the best poor man's country 
on earth. A country that makes a man a good living without work. The 
grass that grows spontaneous in summer and winter makes your meat, 
milk and butter. The mast makes your bacon ; the hollow trees furnish 
you honey and the ground furnishes you with roots for bread. If vou 
want any more a very little work makes it. The land is free ; you can 
have 640 acres by stopping over night on it . 

I must end my writing; when I see you I will tell you more. 

I am truly yours, 

ERASTUS SMITH. 

The first State Legislature met at Austin on the 19th 
of February. 1846. Ex-President Houston and General 
Thomas J. Rusk were elected United States Senators 
without opposition. 

To provide means to cancel the revolutionary debt of 
the Republic of Texas was the first great measure that 
claimed the attention of Senator Houston. 

In order to accomplish that desired object he proposed 
to the government of the United States to cede the dis- 
puted Santa Fe territory in consideration of $15,000,000. 
The proposition was violently resisted by Governor 
Wood and his successor, Governor Bell. 

The principal ground of the opposition was, that if 



80 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF 



jurisdiction of the territory was acquired by the United 
States it would become a free State. 

In 1850 Congress passed a bill appropriating $10,000,000 
to pay for the Territory, provided that the State of Texas 
consented to the cession. The proposition was sub- 
mitted to the vote of the people. All the leading news- 
papers and the greater number of leading politicians op- 
posed the sale. After a full discussion the bargain was 
sanctioned by the popular vote. 

The following is an extract from a speech delivered by 
Senator Houston during the canvass. He said : " * * 
* * The charge that I am the father of this measure I 
shall not undertake to evade. I am willing to shoulder 
the responsibility. Justice and truth, however, require 
me to acknowledge the faithful and able assis- 
tance of my colleague, G neral Rusk. It is asserted by 
the opponents to the cession of this Territory that we 
are yielding to the demands of the Free Soil party. That 
idea ought not, should not, have the weight of a feather 
in the decision of the question now under consideration. 
Planters will not take their servants to that sandy dessert 
if it remains within the jurisdiction of Texas. We will 
have sufficient rich and desirable land left to satisfy the de- 
mands of every slaveholder in the universe. The motive 
that moves me to advocate this measure is to raise funds 
to discharge our public debt which amounts, I am in- 
formed, to $11,000,000 at least, in the hands of clamorous 
creditors, who claim that it is a valid lien upon our pub- 
lic domain. Our entire public lands to day would not 
sell for a sum in cash sufficient to discharge one-fourth 
of the face value of our indebtedness. 

4 'The State of Texas is in the condition of an embar 
rassed debtor. Her powerful creditors are in position, 
as is always the case, to dictate their own terms. If 
this measure is defeated we will not have a foot of land 



THE LIFE OF SAM HOUSTON. 



81 



to call our own. With $10,000,000 cash in our treasury 
we will be able to say to our creditors we are ready to 
pay you every cent we justly and equitably owe you 
and no more. I hold that it is just and right for a State 
as well as individuals, to pay only for value received. 
A creditor that received two dollars in red backs for one 
dollar in services rendered, ought injustice to surrender 
in payment two dollars in red backs for one in coin. 
Some paid attorneys say this is repudiation, acting in 
bad faith, and the like. In reply to such assertion I 
have only to say, that the people have a right to protect 
themselves against the cruel and unjust exactions of 
their creditors. The same power that enacted that the 
red backs, when they were worth only fifty cents on the 
dollar, should be paid out over the counter of the treas- 
ury, two for one, has a right to enact that they shall be 
redeemed in the same ratio. 

"The people are of right all powerful — they are a law 
unto themselves; and when they fail to make use of 
their inherent power, to protect themselves against the 
unjust encroachments of combined capital, their liber- 
ties will have departed. 

"If our debt is scaled down to its just and equitable 
dimensions, it will be diminished one half. With $10,- 
000,000 cash in our hands, we can pay it, and have a 
large surplus left, and what is of greater importance, our 
land will be free from incumbrance. 

"I believe that for a free people to remain free, they 
must have free schools. I would recommend, therefore, 
that a large portion of our spare cash, and the greater 
part of our public domain should be set apart for that 
purpose * * * ." 

The red -backs and other claims had been purchased 
by a few men of capital, at a price averaging about ten 
cents on the dollar. In 1853 a bill was introduced into 



82 



BIOGKAPHICAL SKETCH OF 



the State legislature to scale the debt down to $5,500,000. 
After meeting with great opposition on the part of the 
creditors it passed by only one majority, and finally be- 
came a law. 

In accordance with terms of the law the national debt 
of Texas was cancelled. The grand results that inured 
to the good of Texas from the measure, we behold in our 
railroads, our asylums for the unfortunate, the enormous 
amount of money and land donated to institutions of 
learning, and the "cash balance" in our treasury. 

In 1859 the sectional strife between the north and the 
south upon the subject of slavery became warm and ex- 
cited. Governor H. R. Runnells was placed in nomina- 
tion for re-election by the democrats of extreme southern 
rights proclivities. J 

Houston entered the race as a Jackson democrat. The 
grounds of opposition to General Houston, as alleged by 
Governor Runnels and his friends, were his advocacy of 
the sale of the Santa Fe territory, and his vote on the 
Kansas -Nebraska bill. 

Houston and Runnels met in joint discussion in Eastern 
Texas, the home of Governor Runnels. The first fire of 
the "Old Roman," drove his opponent from the field of 
debate. Senator Louis T. Wigfall, considered the fore- 
most political orator in the State, assumed to represent 
Governor Runnels on the stump. Houston would not 
consent to meet Senator Wigfall in joint discussion; 
nevertheless, the Senator followed in his wake, and an- 
swered all his speeches. A thorough canvass of the 
State was made, resulting in the election of General 
Houston by a large majority. 

In 1853 a delegation of ministers, having knowledge 
that Senator Houston had joined the Sons of Temperance, 
called upon him in eastern Texas on his way home from 
Qongress, and requested him to bestow his influence and 



THE LIFE OF SAM HOUSTON. 



83 



aid to secure the enactment of a Sunday and prohibition 
law. The following is his reply : 

"I agree with you that any unnecessary amusement 
that is calculated to disturb and annoy persons engaged 
in religious worship on the Christian Sabbath is wrong 
and censurable, such as horse racing, gambling of all 
devices, and indulging in the social glass in public. 

"You request me to use my influence and exertion, 
such as I possess, to induce the Legislature to enact a 
law to effect the suppression of the same. I understand 
by that you desire the law-making power to declare it a 
penal offense for persons to do and perform certain acts 
on a particular day. 

"In reply, I hold and maintain that it is far better to 
endure and suffer from the ills of even a great evil than to 
violate, in the least, a vital principle of civil and reli- 
gious liberty. 

"When tyrants ask you to yield one jot of your liberty, 
and you consent thereto, it is the first link forged in the 
chain that will eventually hold you in bondage. 

"The Irish, that noble race, so prolific of brave war- 
riors, grand statesmen and brilliant orators, whose 
deeds of bravery have immortalized every battlefield 
over which waved the British flag, permitted the English 
lords to be centuries in forging their fetters inch by inch, 
here a little and there a little, till to-day they are in 
helpless bondage. 

"The time to resist the encroachments of tyranny is at 
the incipient stage thereof. The constitution of the 
United States says : ' Congress shall make no law re- 
specting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the 
free use thereof.' Our State constitution says : 'Minis- 
ters of the gospel being by their profession dedicated to 
God and the care of souls ought not to be diverted from 
the great duties of their functions : therefore no minis- 



84 



BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCH OF 



ter of the gospel or priest of any denomination whatever 
shall Ibe eligible to the legislature.' 

"The clanse in our State constitution just quoted, dis- 
franchising clergymen, I think is an abridgment of re- 
ligious liberty. Had I been a member of the constitu- 
tional convention I should not have given it my support. 
It violates the very principle intended to protect, inas- 
much as it recognizes the right to control the free enjoy- 
ment of religious belief by law. The men, many of 
them that framed and voted for it, were smarting from tha 
effects of the tyrannical acts of the Mexican Catholic 
priesthood, which was the cause, I have no doubt, that 
inspired the enactment. 

"I wish to be understood in my remarks, that I have 
no prejudice against the persons embracing the Catholic 
faith that would debar me from according to them the 
same rights due to any other denomination or Chris 
tians, or any other religious creed. 

"History teaches us that men composing all denomi- 
nations of religious faith, when clothed with ecclesiasti- 
cal and temporal power combined, have been tyrants. 

"Now, any law made by the law-making power of the 
State, intended to regulate a person's religious or 
civil conduct on Sunday, is in violation of the spirit of 
the constitution of the United States, if not the letter. 
That clause was placed there by wise men ; men who had 
been careful students of history. They determined that 
their beloved country should not be the bloody battle 
ground of religious enthusiasts. They were not ignorant 
of the early colonial history — a history that disclosed 
the fact, that the New England colonists enacted and 
enforced laws compelling persons to observe and sub- 
scribe to a particular religious fate. Laws were enacted 
regulating all persons' conduct on Sunday, which were 
so severe that people dared not prepare food for nourish- 



THE LIFE OF SAM HOUSTON. 



85 



ment. They were compelled to prepare the traditional 
Indian pudding and baked beans on Saturday to be 
served up cold on Sunday. It is asserted that laws de- 
claring Sunday the first day of the week, a day of rest, 
and it to be unlawful for any person to do certain acts 
on that day, that are lawful on week days, are not in 
violation of the spirit or letter of the constitution, be- 
cause it is necessary for the moral and physical good of 
man to rest one day out of seven. 

"Let us suppose that the Quakers, the Jews, the 
Seventh-day Baptists, and others that believe that Satur- 
day, the seventh day, is the day that God set apart as a 
day of rest and holy observance, should combine and 
get control of the legislative branch of the government, 
and should enact that all persons should abstain from 
labor, sale or barter of any goods, wares or merchandise 
on that day under pain and penalties affixed thereto. 
What do you suppose that the religious people, who be- 
lieve that the first day of the week is the day that Christ 
ordained as the day of sacred rest, would say about such 
a law as that 1 Would not they all proclaim that such 
a law was in violation of the constitution because it in 
effect abolished the Christian Sabbath as a day of rest 
and divine worship, thereby interfering with the free ex- 
ercise of religious worship ? They would rebel against 
the enforcement of such a law, and claim their rights 
guaranteed by the sacred enactment of the law of the 
land, which declares that the free use of religious wor 
ship shall not be prohibited. We must remember that 
this is a land of equal rights to the Jews as well as the 
Gentiles. 

"The laws of Mexico intended to prescribe and regu- 
late a person's religious belief, was the first moving 
cause that inspired the Texas patriots to draw their 



86 BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCH OF 



swords in defense of enlightened freedom and religious 
toleration. 

"The men that fought for and won her independence 
dedicated her soil to be the abode and dwelling place of 
freemen of every kindred and tongue, coming from all 
nations to enjoy, unmolested, as they may think proper, 
the religious views and customs taught them in their 
native land. Our friends, the Germans, are a class of 
emigrants I have made great exertions to secure. They 
purchase our land and pay us cash. Some of them have 
settled on land that was considered unproductive with- 
out irrigation. Through their skill and industry this 
dormant soil blossoms like the rose and brings forth im- 
mense treasures of wealth. When in our distress we 
beckoned these peaceable, intelligent and hardy pioneers 
to our shores, we promised them an asylum of freedom. 

"I never can give my consent to the passage of any law 
intended to regulate the manner in which they or any 
other class of people shall observe Sunday. Such an 
act would be in bad faith, and I not only refuse to ad- 
vocate such a measure, but interpose my solemn protest. 
When a government like ours undertakes to declare cer- 
tain acts of individuals unlawful that a considerable 
portion thereof honestly believes is an abridgement of 
their inalienable rights, it cannot be enforced, and is cal- 
culated to lessen the respect that citizens should have 
have for the laws of their country. 

"In regard to the suppression of the evils of intemper- 
ance by legislative enactments, I should give the measure 
my sanction and support, if I thought it were possible to 
accomplish the object in that manner. I have given the 
matter some thought, and I have come to the conclusion 
that there are insurmountable obstacles in the way. In 
the first place, if you prohibit the sale of intoxicating 
liquors in one county, the article will be obtained from 



THE LIFE OF SAM HOUSTON. 



87 



the adjoining one; if the state abolishes the traffic in 
ardent spirits, importation of the same from the neigh- 
boring states will be resorted to. If the congress of the 
United States should prohibit the manufacture and sale, 
importations from foreign countries would take place. 
If congress should pass a law, forbidding the importa- 
tion, it would involve the government in a war with 
nationalities where treaties have been formed. 

"Opium is as injurious to the mental and physical well 
being of mankind as intoxicating drink. A short period 
past the use of opium by the Chinese became so exten- 
sive and injurious that the Emperor issued an edict, or- 
dering the ports of China closed against the introduction 
of opium for sale. That act of the Emporer the English 
government declared to be a declaration of war against 
England, because her people were extensively engaged 
in the manufacture and exportation of the same to China 
for sale, and the Queen sent her navy over there and re- 
sponded to the Emperor's proclamation with the voice of 
her cannon. The legality of the act aroused considera- 
ble discussion in this country. John Q. Adams, in an 
exhaustive speech delivered in Tremont temple, Boston, 
justified England. Mr. Adams said that it would not do 
to violate the law of nations to suppress an evil, how- 
ever great. 

"Before the evil of intemperance can be suppressed by 
legislative enactments, natural laws must be repealed. 
As long as the soil produces fruit and grain, ardent 
spirits will be manufactured and used as a beverage. 
To declare it to be a crime to manufacture and drink 
wine in moderation would, in effect, acctise Christ and 
the Holy Apostles of sinful practice. The first miracle 
of our own blessed Saviour was the manufacture of 
wine out of water. It was performed at the request of 
his mother, at the wedding of her niece and his cousin. 



88 



BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCH OF 



"The object of the miracle was to furnish a stimulant 
to the brain, to prolong the mirth and joy of the wed- 
ding party. We must presume, therefore, that Christ 
and his disciples made use of wine as a beverage. 

"It was at the celebration of the Passover, an occur- 
rence similar to our 21st of April Passover, that our 
Saviour took the wine cup from the festive board and 
inaugurated the holy communion. 

"I am a sincere Christian. I believe that the precepts 
and examples as taught and practiced by Christ and 
his Apostles to be the bed-rock of democracy. Nowhere 
in the New Testament can we learn that any agency save 
moral suasion was invoked to make people religious or 
moral. 

"I do not object to total abstinence. I believe that 
total abstinence is the only way by which some in- 
temperate drinkers can be saved. I know it from my 
own personal experience. When a person's appetite 
for stimulating beverage becomes uncontrollable, he 
should 'touch not, handle not.' If I cannot indulge in 
the use of the same in moderation, it is my 
misfortune. To undertake to prescribe rules of conduct 
for others more fortunate by legislative enactments is a 
species of legislation that will not be tolerated in a free 
land. 

"Moral suasion is the only legitimate weapon that 
ministers of the Gospel can make use of to win men 
from vice of every description. 

"Garlands of grace and beauty are more effectual in 
winning men from the vice of intemperance than sump 
tuary laws. 

"With these observations I will give you my opinion 
what I consider would be proper legislation with refer- 
ence to a day of rest. It would be proper for the legis- 
lature to declare it a penal offense for any person to 



THE LIFE OF SAM HOUSTON. 



89 



disturb religious worship on Sunday or any other day; 
that no person, bond or free, should be compelled to per- 
form any labor on Sunday except to enforce the criminal 
laws of the State. Such a law would protect the rights 
of all and work injury to none." 

Governor Houston's position upon the secession ques- 
tion may be briefly stated thus : He admitted that the 
Southern States had just cause to complain of the acts 
of some portion of the people of the free States, but he 
denied that the national government had ever trespassed 
upon the rights of the slaveholding States in the least. 
Therefore secession, in his opinion, was not the legiti- 
mate remedy for the redress ot Southern grievances. 

The secession convention ordered all State officials to 
take the oath of allegiance to the Southern Confederacy. 

Not being able to get his own consent so to do, he 
"stepped down and out of the chair of State." 

In reviewing the past it is clearly perceptible that it was 
due to his wonderful caution and foresight that Texas 
was saved from destruction at several critical periods. 
The most important and dangerous crisis occurred on 
the day after the battle of San Jacinto. 

General Lamar or General Rusk might have been able 
to have led the Texans on to victory on the 21st, but 
neither had the ability to have gathered the fruit of the 
victory on the 22d. 

Had General Lamar been the Commander-in-Chief 
Santa Anna and all the Mexican officers would have 
been instantly shot. 

That measure would have had the effect to have shifted 
the ignominy that rested upon the shoulders of Santa 
Anna to his own, and civilized and powerful nations 
would have withdrawn their sympathy and good will 
from the Texans and the cause in which they were 
engaged. 



90 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF 



General Lamar would have then seen "a cavalcade of 
heroes" coming from Mexico to Texas for his destruction, 
instead of the United States for his salvation. 

We have seen that when President Burnet granted 
General Houston leave of absence he placed General 
Rusk, the most popular man in the service, in command. 

Instead of General Rusk being able to command his 
subordinates, that composed the army, they commanded 
him. Instead of obeying the orders of their General 
they held mass meetings and voted such orders as they 
desired their commanding General should obey. In a 
warm contested election they voted to order their Gen- 
eral to arrest his superior in command, President Burnet, 
for attempting to send Santa Anna home without con- 
sulting them. 

Such proceedings forcibly reminded General Rusk that 
his private affairs had been too long neglected, and he 
sent his resignation to the President. 

As has been heretofore stated, on the retirement of 
General Rusk, General Lamar was, by the President, 
appointed Commander-in-Chief. On assuming command 
the General desired to profit by the sad experience of 
his predecessor ; he desired the summary execution of 
Santa Anna, but he did not wish to violate the orders of 
his soldiers, and he assembled his army in convention 
and proposed to the soldiers to vote upon the proposi- 
tion, whether or not Santa Anna should be tried and 
executed. After carefully and nicely counting the votes 
it was discovered that a large majority favored nis 
execution. 

The execution of the order was prevented by the time- 
ly arrival of General Houston. General Houston told 
the officers and privates in substance, that they must 
obey all orders emanating from legitimate authority, 
"that where there was no law there could be no liberty." 



THE LIFE OF SAM HOUSTON. 



91 



Suck Generals as Lamar and Rusk did not have the 
ability sufficient to have conducted that perilous and 
wonderful retreat of the Texan army, (composed as it 
was of would-be Generals and discontents) from the 
Colorado to the San Jacinto, which terminated in a 
battle that annihilated the Mexican army and secured a 
treaty that assured the independence of Texas. 

Stephen F. Austin, Thomas J. Rusk and William H. 
Whorton and many others, were his patriotic and able 
co -laborers — they always sustained him in all important 
measures. But to undertake to shadow his fame by the 
deeds of any other Texan would be as vain and futile 
as it would be for a lightning bug to attempt to out- 
shine the majestic splendor of the noon-day sun. Sam 
Houston was ordained and predestinated from the foun- 
dation of the world to be the Saviour of Texas. 

John Adams, the iron-clad patriot, was at one time 
asked how it happened that; he, in the Continental Con- 
gress in 1775, at Philadelphia, nominated Washington 
Commander-in-Chief of th^ revolutionary army. To the 
great surprise of every delegate and to Washington him- 
self, he said : "I was well aware jealousy existed among 
the officers that had distinguished themselves 
at Lexington and Bunker Hill, and that there 
were several that desired to be appointed to the 
position. I considered it of great importance 
that the person appointed should be a man able to com- 
mand obedience and respect from all. I saw a delegate 
sitting in front of me from Virginia, that possessed in a 
wonderful degree modesty, caution and bravery com- 
bined. - I knew something of his early history. I saw, 
in my imagination, his caution, skill and bravery in 
warfare. I saw him as aid to the proud and haughty 
General Braddock in his campaign against Fort d.u 
Quesne in 1755. I saw his caution manifested in at- 



92 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF 



tempting to advise his general to be careful not to be 
caught in a trap. I saw General Braddock and his com- 
mand drawn in to an ambuscade when within a short 
distance from the Fort. I saw leaden bullets hurled into 
the ranks of his soldiers from muskets in the 
hands of the French and Indians, from behind every 
tree in front, right and left. I saw General Braddock 
and many of his officers fall mortally wounded in at- 
tempting to rally and steady their men in line of battle. 
I saw Colonel Washington, whose counsel and advise 
had been spurned, at the head of his plain-clad Virginia 
troops, boldly and deliberately rush between the enemy 
and the retreating army, cover their retreat, and save 
them from slaughter. I saw an Indian Ghief, at short 
range, from behind a tree, with deliberate aim, fire seven- 
teen shots at him without harm. 

"I believed then as I do now that he was a special 
favorite of Divine Power, and was divinely inspired to 
be the Saviour of his country." 

Washington, Jackson and Houston are the "immortal 
trio," American warrior- statesmen. Providence con- 
ferred upon them certain gifts, and dedicated each one 
to perform certain achievements. Neither one could 
well have performed the work of the other. They were 
the type of the men they led to victory in war and gov- 
erned in peace. Their fame never has nor never will be 
eclipsed in this country. 

They are great because their archie vements for the 
good of mankind were great. The manner in which they 
served their country bears evidence of pure unselfish- 
ness, and what is of great value to the American people, 
they bequeathed to posterity an unblemished personal 
character for honesty, integrity and honor. 



